At the time, many believed that Constantine was chosen by God to bring the Church and the Empire together so that Christianity would be established on earth. Others weren't so convinced. Noticing corruption and pagan influence in the Church, many withdrew into the desert and began the monastic movement. Some have declared the Church apostate and separated themselves from the Church as a whole. Many remained within the Church, neither fully accepting all the changes nor totally rejecting the Church as a whole. Constantine's influence on the Church will be felt not only during his lifetime, but also for generations to come.