ABSTRACT
As supreme Emperor, Constantine promulgated edicts that established Christianity as the preferred religion of the Empire. The Dutch pacifist Heering terms this establishment “the fall of Christianity.” This chapter examines early Christianity and the tradition of pacifism; the tradition of the just war, developed by Augustine in the century after Constantine; the appearance of holy wars or crusades; and two factors that may explain, if not resolve, the paradox of Christians pursuing war. The central tenet of early Christianity was identification with the kingdom of God rather than with earthly kingdoms. During the third century A.D., Christianity became respectable. In A.D. 251 there were probably 30,000 Christians in the city of Rome alone and they were served by 154 recognized officers of an organized Church community. Although Constantine after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge favored Christianity, he was not baptized until he lay on his deathbed, May 337.
