The birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ started a religious evolution; this being – divine or not - started what became the Christian faith. The Christian movement was not, however, a linear and unified progression to the belief system that it is today. Throughout its history the religion has been defined by a cornucopia of consciousness with numerous groups worshiping in very different ways. One of the most important events in its history is the Council of Nicene and the development of the Nicene Creed. But the creed was founded on and intended for more than religious reasons; it allowed Rome, under emperor Constantine, to survive and grow in power. This creed, which has been called the “touchstone of orthodox belief,” (Ayo) will be investigated in this essay; particularly, I will explore the political role and purpose of this statement. This essay will consider the development on a global scale, but it will focus on its development in Rome.
Paganism and Judaism were very popular religions prior to Christianity, especially before the exposition of the Nicene Creed. There was not a common religion in Rome; the nation was divided between different beliefs, churches, and sects. The Pagan religion is a polytheistic one, meaning several gods are worshipped. This is quite contrary to the Christian and Jewish belief in a single, omniscient God. Hostile feelings emerged from this major incongruity, and there was much tension between Pagans and Christians. Prior to the Creed, Christians were a minority persecuted by Pagans and governmental authorities (Ehrman). There was also much division within the Christian church itself, as the life, teachings, and divinity of Jesus were interp ...