“BY THIS SIGN CONQUER”- IN HOC SIGNE VINCES-
MILITARY INSIGNIA-VISION of Emperor Constantine’s : A Questionable Vision,But a Demonstration of Faith.
FIGHTING IN THE LORD'S NAME
The vision of the Cross/ or the Chi Rho (Greek XP), has turned around Christian armies of the world throughout history to adopt the Cross sign (i.e. Latin cross), From the time of the CRUSADES and even Today, the US (including Navy Seals) and British forces has adopted this sign as Military Insignia.
Is this sign truthful? Did God really gave this vision to Emperor Constantine? Could God be the Divine Author to the perpetuation of the Chi Rho or Cross, as venerated Christian symbols, object of worship ,a kind of talisman?
In Christian History, Bishop Eusebius and Lactantius, the Emperor’s Historians, has included a vision-account, that while Constantine was marching near Milvian Bridge (Lactantius), at the head of his Roman army in his military campaign towards the WEST; at Midday, he saw a vision of the Christogram symbol with the inscription: “In this Sign Conquer”
After that mystical Vision , Constantine won that decisive Battle against Maxentius, Emperor of the West and became the undisputed Emperor of the Whole Roman Empire by 324 AD.Emperor Constantine Stopped the Roman Persecution which lasted for over 200 years (since 64 AD-Nero)
The achievements of Constantine, favoring Christianity over pagan religion was a historical Hall of Fame.No other King or Emperor in history has surpassed him since Biblical times. He was the King for “such a time as this” (Est.4.14) Later, Christianity became the Official Religion of the empire.
However, No matter How Great the King Is ,the “In Hoc Signe Vinces” is A “Questionable Doctrine” for it does not reflect a 100% Bible-based Faith.
1.Because in that vision and the succeeding Dream- Bishop Eusebius: “The Next Day, Christ appeared in his Dream..”Here as in the Milvian Bridge Vision, The wearing of Chi-Rho symbol in the battle, was greatly emphasized as guarantee of Christ’s Presence and Final Victory . Its Unlikely,that God will SPONSOR one Christian symbol where his Presence would be strong. It will mean A Divine Sanction on the Cristogram as Sacred symbol in the Church.
Christogram (XP-the Greek initial of Christ) Is Nothing New…
2. Before Constantine's Time,The Christogram symbol stand as one of the historic symbol among Christians, beginning with the Roman Persecution, and Archaeologically- discovered inscriptions in graves and catacomb among early Christians.
In An age of Superstitions and Emperor Cult:
3. Eusebius and Lactantius were not prophets; and they may have added this formula,personally testified (with an Oath) by Constantine himself,to promote the Emperor as an appointed Ruler of God with Divine Authority; Since they added this episode seven-ten years after the battle. This later additions, maybe in consonant with the claim that the Emperor is the 13th Apostle.
But St.Paul have made it clear that he “came last (“Last of all, He Appeared to me”-I Cor.15.8)
Hyper-Pentecostalism or Psychology?
4. Apart from accusing Constantine for fabricating the vision, the Emperor himself may have sincerely believed He saw a real Vision, due to an “obsessional subconscious thought for Divine blessings and personal stress- level to his upcoming Battle .
Subjects in this psychological state, tends to project their subconscious thoughts outside, or even in dream-state, as a result of obsessional level.
Constantine Subconscious Mind has pre-selected and dictated the Chi-Rho symbol seen FROM his PAST,as manifestation of God’s Approval on him. (Reflective Psychology, Analytic Psychology)
Note:The supernatural vision may not be authentic. but starting to wear a military Insignia that is dedicated to the Lord’s Name, instead of Pagan symbols (as David fought in the Name of the Lord-1 Sam.17.45) is a demonstration of his (Constantine) sincerity and A NEW JOURNEY OF faith in the Lord, in exchange for pagan gods. I encouraged, any army in the world to indeed (truly) fight in the Lord’s Name.
. St Paul Encourage mature Christians not to judge another man’s faith (as Constantine )
“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own Master he standeth or falleth”- Ro.14.4
MILITARY INSIGNIA-VISION of Emperor Constantine’s : A Questionable Vision,But a Demonstration of Faith.
FIGHTING IN THE LORD'S NAME
The vision of the Cross/ or the Chi Rho (Greek XP), has turned around Christian armies of the world throughout history to adopt the Cross sign (i.e. Latin cross), From the time of the CRUSADES and even Today, the US (including Navy Seals) and British forces has adopted this sign as Military Insignia.
Is this sign truthful? Did God really gave this vision to Emperor Constantine? Could God be the Divine Author to the perpetuation of the Chi Rho or Cross, as venerated Christian symbols, object of worship ,a kind of talisman?
In Christian History, Bishop Eusebius and Lactantius, the Emperor’s Historians, has included a vision-account, that while Constantine was marching near Milvian Bridge (Lactantius), at the head of his Roman army in his military campaign towards the WEST; at Midday, he saw a vision of the Christogram symbol with the inscription: “In this Sign Conquer”
After that mystical Vision , Constantine won that decisive Battle against Maxentius, Emperor of the West and became the undisputed Emperor of the Whole Roman Empire by 324 AD.Emperor Constantine Stopped the Roman Persecution which lasted for over 200 years (since 64 AD-Nero)
The achievements of Constantine, favoring Christianity over pagan religion was a historical Hall of Fame.No other King or Emperor in history has surpassed him since Biblical times. He was the King for “such a time as this” (Est.4.14) Later, Christianity became the Official Religion of the empire.
However, No matter How Great the King Is ,the “In Hoc Signe Vinces” is A “Questionable Doctrine” for it does not reflect a 100% Bible-based Faith.
1.Because in that vision and the succeeding Dream- Bishop Eusebius: “The Next Day, Christ appeared in his Dream..”Here as in the Milvian Bridge Vision, The wearing of Chi-Rho symbol in the battle, was greatly emphasized as guarantee of Christ’s Presence and Final Victory . Its Unlikely,that God will SPONSOR one Christian symbol where his Presence would be strong. It will mean A Divine Sanction on the Cristogram as Sacred symbol in the Church.
Christogram (XP-the Greek initial of Christ) Is Nothing New…
2. Before Constantine's Time,The Christogram symbol stand as one of the historic symbol among Christians, beginning with the Roman Persecution, and Archaeologically- discovered inscriptions in graves and catacomb among early Christians.
In An age of Superstitions and Emperor Cult:
3. Eusebius and Lactantius were not prophets; and they may have added this formula,personally testified (with an Oath) by Constantine himself,to promote the Emperor as an appointed Ruler of God with Divine Authority; Since they added this episode seven-ten years after the battle. This later additions, maybe in consonant with the claim that the Emperor is the 13th Apostle.
But St.Paul have made it clear that he “came last (“Last of all, He Appeared to me”-I Cor.15.8)
Hyper-Pentecostalism or Psychology?
4. Apart from accusing Constantine for fabricating the vision, the Emperor himself may have sincerely believed He saw a real Vision, due to an “obsessional subconscious thought for Divine blessings and personal stress- level to his upcoming Battle .
Subjects in this psychological state, tends to project their subconscious thoughts outside, or even in dream-state, as a result of obsessional level.
Constantine Subconscious Mind has pre-selected and dictated the Chi-Rho symbol seen FROM his PAST,as manifestation of God’s Approval on him. (Reflective Psychology, Analytic Psychology)
Note:The supernatural vision may not be authentic. but starting to wear a military Insignia that is dedicated to the Lord’s Name, instead of Pagan symbols (as David fought in the Name of the Lord-1 Sam.17.45) is a demonstration of his (Constantine) sincerity and A NEW JOURNEY OF faith in the Lord, in exchange for pagan gods. I encouraged, any army in the world to indeed (truly) fight in the Lord’s Name.
. St Paul Encourage mature Christians not to judge another man’s faith (as Constantine )
“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own Master he standeth or falleth”- Ro.14.4