Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Belteshazzar

I believe he is making a distinction between Christianity and Christendom. Through Constantine’s conversion, Christinity began to assume a political and territorial aspect, ie “Christendom”.


6 posted on 10/26/2012 9:32:54 AM PDT by ThirdMate
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]


To: ThirdMate

Yes, of course he is making that distinction. Christendom in this sense reflects the political/religious understanding of the Middle Ages that has been carried forward into our times in the thinking of many churchmen (who will remained unnamed) in nearly all denominations (who will remain equally undesignated). This is, to be sure, what we see shrinking all around us as the tide of paganism rises. But Christendom in this sense is a false construct, useful for historians, sociologists, geopolitical analysts, etc., but not at all to be seen as identical to Christendom (Christianity) in the full sense of the term. After all, did not Jesus say, “My kingdom is not of this world”?

Christianity was living and growing before the time of Constantine - however terrible the persecutions were - and it will be living and growing till the end of time, no matter what happens to the religio-political construct “Christendom.”


8 posted on 10/26/2012 9:48:29 AM PDT by Belteshazzar (We are not justified by our works but by faith - De Jacob et vita beata 2 +Ambrose of Milan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson