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Constantine and the Divine Mind: The Imperial Quest for Primitive Monotheism
Constantine’s conversion to Christianity marks one of the most significant turning points in the epic of Western civilization. It is also one of history’s most controversial and hotly-debated episodes. Why did Constantine join a persecuted sect? When did he convert? And what kind of Christian did he ultimately become? Such questions have perennially challenged historians, but modern scholarship has opened a new door towards understanding the fourth century’s most famous and mysterious convert.
In Constantine and the Divine Mind, Chandler offers a new portrait of Constantine as a deeply religious man on a quest to restore what he believed was once the original religion of mankind: monotheism. By tracing this theological quest and important historical trends in Roman paganism, Chandler illuminates the process by which Constantine embraced Christianity, and how the reasons for that embrace continued to manifest in his religious policies. In this we discover not only Constantine’s personal religious journey, but the reason why Christianity was first developed into a world power.
In Constantine and the Divine Mind, Chandler offers a new portrait of Constantine as a deeply religious man on a quest to restore what he believed was once the original religion of mankind: monotheism. By tracing this theological quest and important historical trends in Roman paganism, Chandler illuminates the process by which Constantine embraced Christianity, and how the reasons for that embrace continued to manifest in his religious policies. In this we discover not only Constantine’s personal religious journey, but the reason why Christianity was first developed into a world power.
198 pages, Paperback
Published December 18, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 27, 2026
A Refreshing Appraisal of Constantine, one of History's Illustrius Individuals.
In this recent revitalizing monograph on Constantine, Chandler demonstrates that the life and decisions made by Constantine were not simple, nor black and white. Indeed, the life of Constantine is complex, and writing a monograph on this prominent historic figure is surely equally complicated. Yet, Chandler has succeeded and given readers an objective look at Constantine.
Chandler spends much time discussing the often taken for granted "conversion" of Constantine in 312, investigating its authenticity. Chandler identifies Constantine's influences and describes his monotheistic religious enterprise.
What/Who is Sol Invictus to Constantine? What is the Divine Mind and what does Hermeticism have to do with Constantine? What does Monotheism mean for Constantine and why was he invested in it?
Chandler answers these questions, and more, in great detail.
After reading this book, the reader will have a greater understanding of why Constantine made the decisions he did.
I can recommend this book to anyone interested in Constantine , early Christian history, and broader history in general.
In this recent revitalizing monograph on Constantine, Chandler demonstrates that the life and decisions made by Constantine were not simple, nor black and white. Indeed, the life of Constantine is complex, and writing a monograph on this prominent historic figure is surely equally complicated. Yet, Chandler has succeeded and given readers an objective look at Constantine.
Chandler spends much time discussing the often taken for granted "conversion" of Constantine in 312, investigating its authenticity. Chandler identifies Constantine's influences and describes his monotheistic religious enterprise.
What/Who is Sol Invictus to Constantine? What is the Divine Mind and what does Hermeticism have to do with Constantine? What does Monotheism mean for Constantine and why was he invested in it?
Chandler answers these questions, and more, in great detail.
After reading this book, the reader will have a greater understanding of why Constantine made the decisions he did.
I can recommend this book to anyone interested in Constantine , early Christian history, and broader history in general.
July 12, 2023
This is my Dad's great book!😀
You need to read it!
You need to read it!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews