From Constantine to Christian Nationalism: Faith as a Tool of Power

As I reflect on our current state of affairs, I can’t help but recognize we have a deep spiritual crisis in America. It seems religion is increasingly the enemy of spirituality rather than its ally. We are struggling to connect with the divine. There is so much noise in our world that there is hardly time to hear the universe whisper.

I was born into the United Methodist Church. A large portion of my values and beliefs were formed through my understanding of the Gospel framed through John Wesley’s way of preaching it. At the same time, I have broadly studied philosophy and history. It is not new that religion and politics have been co-opted by less than righteous individuals, causing the faithful to distrust their institutions.

When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the early 4th century, it sent shockwaves through the Roman Empire and reshaped the course of Western civilization. But Constantine’s sudden embrace of the Christian faith wasn’t just a spiritual awakening—it was a masterclass in political strategy. Seventeen centuries later, echoes of that strategy can be heard in the rhetoric and tactics of modern right-wing Christian Nationalism.

Constantine: The Cross and the Crown

Constantine’s conversion is often portrayed as a divine revelation. The story goes that before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, Constantine saw a vision—a cross of light in the sky with the words “In this sign, conquer.” He adopted the Christian symbol for his army, won the battle, and soon after became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He then issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, legalizing Christianity and ending centuries of persecution. It is absurd to me that Christians adopt this tale of an Emperor winning a battle with the cross in front of it, as Jesus’s life clearly demonstrates his commitment to non-violence.

But this wasn’t about religion—it was about unifying a fractured empire. The Roman world was riddled with internal strife, and Constantine recognized that Christianity, with its growing numbers and organizational strength, could serve as a cohesive force. His “conversion” allowed him to consolidate power, align himself with an increasingly influential group, and gain legitimacy as a divinely favored ruler. In effect, he weaponized religion to cement political dominance.

Christian Nationalism and the GOP

Fast forward to 21st-century America, and a similar pattern emerges. Within the Republican Party, particularly its right-wing faction, Christianity—specifically conservative Evangelical Christianity—has become a central pillar of political identity. It’s not uncommon to hear calls for the United States to be declared a “Christian nation,” or for policies to be framed as extensions of biblical values. Flags bearing crosses fly next to MAGA banners. Political rallies often resemble revival meetings.

Like Constantine’s strategic conversion, the modern use of Christianity in politics is less about personal faith and more about power. Christian Nationalism seeks to fuse national identity with a narrow interpretation of Christianity, positioning one religious worldview as synonymous with patriotism and moral authority. It often marginalizes those who fall outside that worldview—Muslims, Jews, atheists, LGBTQ+ individuals, and progressive Christians alike.

The Politics of Piety

For both Constantine and today’s Christian Nationalists, the strategy is clear: use religion as a tool to legitimize authority and create an “us vs. them” framework that rallies the faithful while excluding dissenters. Constantine turned Christianity into a state religion, blending the cross with the sword. Today’s Christian Nationalists echo this by advocating for policies that blur the line between church and state, from school prayer mandates to abortion bans rooted in religious doctrine.

But just as Constantine’s alliance with the Church transformed Christianity—making it a powerful institution tied to empire—modern political Christianity risks turning faith into a partisan weapon. The result? A version of religion more concerned with control than compassion, more about votes than virtue.

Lessons from History

History teaches us that when religion becomes too entangled with political ambition, it can lose its moral compass. Constantine’s legacy is complex—he helped spread Christianity, but also laid the groundwork for centuries of religious coercion and crusades. He also laid the ground work for the demise of the Roman Empire. Today, as some Republican leaders invoke Christian symbols to consolidate power, we’re faced with the same fundamental question: is this about genuine faith, or is it about using faith to gain and keep power?

The danger lies not in the presence of faith in public life, but in the distortion of faith for political ends. As history shows, when power and piety become indistinguishable, both can be corrupted. We need a spiritual revival in the country, but it needs to be based on love, mercy, humility and justice. This is what is missing in our lives and our politics.