Constantine Allied with Christians

In Sweden, Joel Halldorf’s new book, Makten och det heliga (“Power and the Sacred”), examines the resurgence of religion in politics. Halldorf notes a shift away from secular ideologies like communism and fascism, with religion now serving as a unifying force. He identifies 1979—with the Iranian revolution and Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland—as a turning point.

The book details how figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have aligned with religious groups. Halldorf also points to the embrace of “Judeo-Christian values” by European political leaders. However, he admits his own faith biases his perspective and struggles to identify positive outcomes from this religious turn.

Halldorf’s analysis largely focuses on the Abrahamic religions, overlooking much of Asia and its religious traditions. He argues that early Christianity’s growth depended on its alliance with power, specifically Emperor Constantine’s victory in 312 AD, which allowed it to spread beyond a small sect in the Middle East. The book leaves open questions about whether a “natural state” of religious belief exists and if organized religion is necessary.