Eusebius of Caesarea to St. Augustine of hippo: relations between Church and state in historical perspective

Abstract

The main task of this study has been to examine the dilemma in which the Church finds herself when considering her relations with the secular power. To a great extent this dilemma stems from the seeming contradiction in New Testament thought on the subject. The New Testament appears to advocate subordination to secular authority and at the same time to preach an eschatological kingdom 'not of this world.' The developing relations between Church and state may be regarded as practical attempts to resolve this apparent discrepancy. The period c. 312 - 420 A.D. commends itself in studying the problems of Church and state relations because within a relatively short space of time the extremes of dualism and subordinationism were explored. Thus the 'political absolutism' of Constantine I and the 'ecclesiastical absolutism' of Theodosius' reign (terms which will be defined and elaborated in the appropriate chapters) may be regarded as differing practical expressions of Pauline subordinationism, while the dualistic reaction which followed Constantine I's reign and St. Augustine's dualism were attempts of a different nature to remain true to apocalyptic separatism. Indeed, St. Augustine's theology of the Two Cities may be seen as an attempt to reconcile the biblical traditions. It may be suggested that such a biblically-based approach goes far towards resolving the underlying tension in Church-state relations.