Show Notes
A popular myth is that when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, he forced everyone else to embrace the faith - or else face deadly consequences.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
It was under Constantine that the very modern-sounding ideas of freedom of religion and “justice for all” were first instituted.
These were revolutionary ideals, and they came from a very smart, learned Christian in the Emperor's inner circle. FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - https://undeceptions.com/podcast/against-coercion/
(00:00) - - One of history's great persuaders
(06:17) - - Persecution and the Crisis of the Third Century
(09:52) - - Christianity and Neoplatonism
(17:44) - - Lactantius: The Christian Cicero
(29:42) - - Lactantius and Constantine
(37:58) - - Constantine and religious tolerance
(46:38) - - Arguing Christian ethics from pagan philosophy
(50:13) - - Freedom of religion and Thomas Jefferson
(54:56) - - Lactantius and justice
(01:03:29) - - Five Minute Jesus
(01:07:58) - - Lactantius' legacy
CREDITS Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley.
Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.
Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.
Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.
Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.
Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions.
Editing by Richard Hamwi.
Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.
Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible.
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.
More from Undeceptions with John Dickson
What do we do when we discover our so-called ‘Christian heroes’ did abhorrent things? What’s the difference between the soul and the spirit? Where does the idea of being a ‘missionary’ come from? Is the God of the Old Testament just a conglomeration of the gods from other cultures that came before? It’s our seasonal Q&A, and John Dickson is in the hot seat answering your questions. FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE
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