Theatrical Moment of the Roman Empire: Constantine’s Uprising Leadership

 “A day when all had begun”, this could be the language I had during the session of Church history class. I wonder how I was caught up with the lesson. Commonly, lots of student would have a hard time participating and listening in a history class. However, this could not be true this time, because I don’t feel it or struggling to it. Studying how Christianity was spread throughout the world with the image and works of prominent personnel were interesting and overwhelming. Every book page I read, it gave me bits and pieces of information that was needed in completing the whole puzzle of Christianity’s history.

Every information I gathered gave me lessons and insights for daily life. I learned that Constantine contributed to the Christian’s growth and progress through the Edict of Milan in 313. It is here where toleration or “permission to practice” for all religions exist. Christians were privileged to have early apologists where specific issues concerning Christian beliefs and teachings were talked and answered in the past. Those compiled defenses were important evidences and resources for our generation today. Although early Christians were persecuted, the persecution itself gave positive influence to the growing Christianity. As long as Roman soldiers continue in killing and torturing believers of Christ, they failed to identify and recognize its publicity for all. Those bloods that shed serves as seeds of the church. It also affected and resulted to the canonization of Scriptures. The life of Constantine had so many issues; one of it was concerning his identity of becoming a Christian emperor. One thing for sure was that it was God who sees his heart whether he was a genuine believer or not. It was God who allows Constantine’s leadership to be part in Christianity’s history. I saw some compromising moments when he was entitled as a Christian emperor, knowing that he was up to politics not religion. The bottom line is that God permits evil people to go against evil nations bringing what God wanted to happen. 

After a week of discussion, the life of Constantine strikes me once for a while. Before, I thought that righteous people were the one responsible in making changes for the evil ones. I was wrong, and rebuked, God also used wicked people to bring goodness and salvation for others. I do believe that Christians should influenced leaders and other ruling individuals. It does not mean that Christian community is neither anti-social nor an organization against the state. We can make a difference by declaring our voice to others as to what should be done. I was once convinced that we should not be in a political positions, however, that should not be. I refused at once the opportunity to be an SK –Sangguniang Kabataan before. I now, realized that it is an important act that there should be Christians in the government offices. We should not block those believers who would have an opportunity to lead us through government agencies.

Christians are not against politics, only the system and programs it matters. As part of the new generation I have to participate in the community development program. This can be done through volunteering in the clean and green activities. If opportunity comes, to be a Barangay captain would be great. Election is fast approaching; I can fulfill all the learning I had by organizing a seminar or a sermon intended on choosing leaders. I have to put and register to all my contacts both children, youth, and adults that it is not about money but what a person may be capable of doing or his visions for the community. I have to encourage others that participating in the politics is good; however, motives and philosophies of life should remain as it is. Temptations are always present in politics that mentor, exhortations, and communication (God) are primary attitudes to have. Unlike Constantine’s strategy—compromising and taking advantage to others, this must not be leaders’ motivation. Make a difference in a corrupt surroundings.

I would mainly focus on the life of Constantine to conclude this article. From his experience, we Christians are just an instrument where God wants us to follow what He wanted. No matter how bad and wicked we perceive to other people, yet it is God who ordered us to reach him—then we have to. God’s work can never be meaningless or useless, in the proceeding situations and events we would know what he is planning. We are bounded with leaders who lead us with laws, programs, activities, business, reforms, as well as beneficial livelihoods; as a person, who knows and believed Christ, we really need to influence and contribute on those works, we are not indifferent that whatever happened in our surroundings we don’t care. We are always be affected on what our leaders decided. “Christian disciplines are always be in hiring to what politics demanded”. Our country needs leaders who will really up to the benefits of its citizens and act according to what is right—and I believe from Constantine’s life, true and genuine Christians are always be qualified for those position.

            

A New Day of Learning: History Unleashed

         Inside   a Church history class, there was a fire that started to spread in me. It’s been a while that I dreamt to be in a Church History class, and finally it came in a sudden. It is important to study and give time in understanding and studying the history of Christianity. It will give us the past presentation on how God works and interfere the life of humanity. Several things that every believer must have known—events in the past that helps us to avoid the traps in the present. I am a young believer in a way that I didn't grasp the whole story of Christianity at first as I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Because of the classes I had this week I learned new things and new information that was expected to be known by me several years ago. I learned that Church fathers like Ignatius and Polycarp was a prominent and important individuals in the Christianity's history who risk their life and sacrifice everything as on what they are believing for. New things I learned, in fact, both Ignatius and Polycarp was a student of John the Apostle. Significant persons was introduced to me, like Trajan an emperor who ruled during their time. He plays important role in the suffering and spreading of the gospel throughout the Roman citizens. To grasp the idea, this week was meant to give me understanding about Christianity's history from time to time.

         Upon living in a community of Bible students and unbelievers outside, it is important to evaluate our own self. Before, all that I know was that I am a Christian—having Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and that ministers were free to bring souls to God. With that principle and insight in mind, I thought that to be a Christian was so easy. I failed to realize that many people died and suffered for what I am now believing only to spread and made me known for it. I realized that I have to be thankful and proud to what they had done. Not only as Christ died for me, but of individuals that sacrifice their life for it. Many years I was blinded by ignorance, but as of now, from time to time, I have to exert effort in knowing what the history promotes. “From a passive believer to an active believer”, in the area of mentality I need to prepare myself from the battle of faith soon I have to encounter. Lots of time wasted for unnecessary activities, I need to invest time in really knowing my identity as a Christian. Through Ignatius and Polycarp's life I was rebuked and reminded that it is important for a person to really have passion and courage to take risk in proclaiming righteousness and truth to others. As others brought us back to God, as a new convert, we need to do it also. Accepting our new identity in Christ Jesus was accompanied with accountability—ensuring others to hear and make decisions for eternity.

            “From passive to active”, I can accomplish it through reading more books and other resources that offer studies and information for Christianity's history. To be active in teaching other believers about history of Christian martyrs. Including topic of Church history for Bible studies and seminars. Lot of things can be done practically, as to attend some upgrade classes offering course for it, as possible stepping into the real place where the events taken. Evangelization and preaching the gospel to others is a must that every believers must take seriously. I have to start from the children I am ministering as of now towards the surrounding community and to all nation. Some would say that it is hard for me to have a dual work as a teacher and a preacher, but to have a heart for others destination this is so easy to be done. There are some instance that I lose confidence and courage to tell others about Christ, however, I have to really face that fear. What I can do was to prepare myself for any debates or argument trough investing in the Bible College and equipping Godly characters. 

         Therefore, history is important for us to consider. It is the dialogue between the past and the present where we are given hints to avoid the trap of the future. Sometimes education was not that given a high value, but at this very point of time, I could say that we need education. Reading is tiring, but if we are really putting love unto it, we could have a wide understanding on the world around us.