As the Roman Empire was on its last leg, the emperor Constantine sought something that would give it cohesion, something that would unify his crumbling empire. He chose a relatively new, small religion that had made a name in the empire because of the dedication of its members. Constantine made Christianity the state religion. He didn’t much care exactly what it taught, as long as that teaching was universal. He ordered church leaders together to sit down and codify it doctrines. This ‘new’ faith, being as much political as it was religious adopted many of the ancient practices of the peoples in the empire. It picked them up, dusted them off, and gave them ‘Christian’ names. When in Rome one must do as the Romans do after all. Thus, Saturnalius became Christmas and the first day of the week became the official Christian day of worship. A partnership between this newly formed church and the state was born. In the centuries that followed the power of the Catholic church grew as the political leaders, and alliances, in Europe and elsewhere came and went.
To be sure, the formation of this faith provided some stability for the various peoples it came to dominate. It kept the people in line by owning their ‘immortal souls’ while the state owned their bodies. It proved to be a useful tool to the state and vice versa. This is only one manifestation of a state religion in history.
Political leaders have often come to understand that it’s easier to govern a people when most of them maintain the same beliefs. Emperors have especially found it useful. In an empire many countries come under the umbrella of one government or leader. With many different peoples and many different cultures it is necessary for social cohesion that the people share some common vision. Religion has been used to provide that cohesion far more often in history than political philosophies.
We are at a time in history again where differences in worldviews are at the core of conflicts between nations all over the globe. The difference is, in our age, modern technologies and the modern weapons of war have gotten so deadly that we are now able to annihilate our race many times over. If we don’t find a way to solve our differences we are headed that way. History teaches us that the time is ripe for another state religion, one to give people a common vision for the sake of political stability and cohesion. It looks like things are shaping up to move that way. To be effective this time it will have to be global in its scope. The world is a much smaller place than it was in Constantine’s time.
As it happens the Bible, too, predicts a coming global faith that is in alliance with its ruling nations. The leader of that faith will bring peace to the world. He will make the world believe that Christ has returned. He will bring Peace, peace…finally. Or so it will seem…because that leader will be the very antithesis of Christ. The peace he will usher in will be short lived.
Every generation of Christians has predicted the coming of the Anti-Christ followed by the coming of the Real Christ. They have all been wrong… But this time…this time is the first time in human history that we have the capacity to destroy all life on earth. Doomsday predictors have always been with us, and they will be…until doomsday. Now it’s a real possibility.
The real message of the Gospel, the Good News, of Jesus the Christ is that this is a time of hope. Jesus the Christ is coming back! The heart of the gospel is that the Kingdom of God is coming. There will be one world, and one faith. God will dwell with men. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes. There will be no more death, no sorrow, no more crying. There will be no more pain because the former things will have all passed away. All things will be made anew! (Rev. 21: 3-5)
As Christians we have all reason to hope for the future because these words are true and faithful. It’s time to renew our faith and hold fast to it. The darkest hour of human history is before us…just before the dawn!
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