Book 16, the final book of the Theodosian Code, treats religion. The tenor and contents of this book give us a sense of how the imperial court refashioned its own religious authority in the centuries following the legalization of Christianity. Although bishops might attempt to subordinate the imperial house to episcopal authority, the emperors still maintained their role as guardians of religious equilibrium. So emperors convoked Christian councils and legislated on religion.
Such legislation might be broad and sweeping, such as the famous 16.1.2, making “Catholic” Christianity the official Christianity (although not quite the official religion) of the empire. This law was later deemed to be so significant that it was promoted to the head of the massive law code commissioned by the sixth-century Emperor Justinian.
Note: The year each law was issued is noted in parentheses at the end of that law’s text.
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Author: The Theodosian Code
Keywords: Deity of Jesus, Divinity of Jesus, Trinity, Nicene, Creed, Church creeds, Nicene Creed, Nicean Creed, Nicea, Nicaea, Council of Nicaea, 325 AD, Council of Nicea, homoiousios, Homoousios, Homoiousian, Arius, Arian, Arian heresy, Arian controversy, Arianism, First council of Nicea, First council of Nicaea, Constantine, Trinitarian, God in three persons, When Jesus became God, Theodosius, Edict of Thessalonica, Church and state, state church, Theodosian Code, Code of Theodosius, Code of Justinian, Justinian code, Catholic, Roman Catholic, Catholic faith, Catholic church, heresy, church of Rome, Valens, Valentinian, persecution, expulsion, ban, excommunicate, excommunication
Bible reference(s): Deuteronomy 6:4, Psa 110:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:32, Luk 20:42, John 1:1-3, Joh 10:30, Joh 8:58, John 10:33-36, Joh 20:28, Acts 2:34, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 5:7-8, Revelation 13:17
Source: Clyde Pharr, “The Theodosian Code and Novels and the Sirmondian Constitutions” (Union, NJ: The Lawbook Exchange, 2001), p. 440.
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