The early fourth century in Africa

As we turn to the fourth century, we see a shift from a persecuting empire to a Christian empire, and this shift makes an enormous impact on Christianity. While this impact is felt throughout all fourth-century Christianity, the dynamics in Africa are quite unique. The growing involvement in Christian affairs by the emperor affects the Christian churches in Africa specifically in regards to the Donatist schism. This controversy will be treated in full in Chapter 7, but it must be mentioned here in order to avoid a common shortcoming in historians’ treatment of North African Christian history. Too often, some of the African writers from this century are divorced entirely from the North African Christian context. This is understandable, since Arnobius predates the Donatist schism, and since neither Arnobius nor Lactantius offer any direct comment on it. I contend, however, that they need to be relocated to their African homeland and understood in light of the events and dynamics of this context. While it is not until Donatus himself is bishop (after 314) that Africans will explicitly ask “what has the emperor to do with the church?” ¹ writers like Arnobius and Lactantius nevertheless can be found asking a similar question in their statements about Christianity and empire. While the Donatist controversy must be treated separately for the sake of space and logical presentation, that controversy will be referenced repeatedly in what follows.