Constantine-Father of the Church Building

Viola and Barna now enter into the incredible story of Constantine, the founder of the concept of church as a building. In AD 324, Constantine became emperor of the Roman Empire. Constantine’s thinking was dominated by superstition and pagan magic. He never abandoned sun worship, even after his “conversion” to Christianity. He made “Sun-day” a legal holiday to honor the god Mithras, the Sun God. To his death he retained the title Pontifex Maximus: chief of the pagan priests. Shortly after he became Emperor, he began ordering the construction of church buildings.

All the historical evidence points to Constantine as an egomaniac. A few examples include that he continued the practice of honoring the dead and increased the idea of sacred objects an places. After his death he was declared “divine.” He surrounded his own grave site with monuments to the 12 Apostles, making himself the 13th and chief Apostle.

After his wife’s trip to Jerusalem in AD 327, he started erecting the first church buildings throughout the Roman Empire. He named the “churches” after saints-following the pagan custom of naming temples for the gods. He built them often over the graves of dead saints, assuming additional “powers” to be ascribed to that location. In total he built 9 church buildings in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Constantinople.

So I conclude that today when we say, “I’m going to church,” we do so thanks in large part to Constantine, one of the most pagan “Christians” in history. We are also in fact not referencing any concept, idea or words in the New Testament.

I happen to like architecture and buildings. I have been an architectural illustrator in my past. I think it is great than man has been able to learn to design and build great buildings and structures and spaces – even to honor God. But, when we allow the culture and worldview around us to redefine and reshape the way we think and act about the New Testament “church,” our culture and what it is telling us must be questioned

The Apostle Paul said:“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I like how Eugene Petersen translated this verse: “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.”

I suggest that this is one huge area where we have allowed the world system to change us for the negative.