It is accepted that the conversion of Constantine had far-reaching consequences for Christianity. His conversion is supposed to have occurred after his victory in war against Licinius after seeing a vision.
Desiring to advance peace in the empire after the war, Constantine sought to unify the church which was fractured on account of the teachings of a presbyter named Arius which were in conflict with accepted orthodoxy. After his representative Hosius was unable to get Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, to reach agreement with Arius on the issue of the nature of Christ, Constantine convened the Council of Nicea in 325.
Around 300 bishops from various parts of the empire – the majority from the eastern provinces – were in attendance. Arius presented his views which were duly debated and questioned. At the end of the Council, only three of the seventeen bishops who had supported Arianism were unchanged.
Another issue discussed at the council was the date of celebrating the Resurrection – Easter.
Modern skeptics have taken issue with the Nicene Council focusing on the role of the emperor and the observance of Easter. Constantine's role was that of a mediator. The council did not enact his decrees, but the deliberations and decisions of the bishops.
Note also, that different points of view and even disagreements are not anathema to Christianity. There need be avenues – such as councils – for the different points of view and disagreements to be discussed. From the parish level, through synods and dioceses to national and international levels, avenues of discussion bring life to the church.
Some churches today are afraid of discussing or addressing difficult issues. They prefer to pretend they are not there, or use scriptures to suppress them. The Nicene Council can serve as a model in such situations.
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