Friday, June 9, 2017

The Historical Development Of Papal Authority

  • Introduction:
          -Primitive Christian churches were governed by pluralities of bishops, not by an individual head, as is the case in the modern Roman Catholic hierarchy. Moreover, the New Testament uses the terms "elder" and "bishop" interchangeably. The New American Bible Revised Edition has this excerpt on Titus 1:5-9 in regard to the meaning of such terms: "This instruction on the selection and appointment of presbyters, substantially identical with that in 1 Tm 3:1–7 on a bishop, was aimed at strengthening the authority of Titus by apostolic mandate; cf. Ti 2:15. In Ti 1:5, 7 and Acts 20:17, 28, the terms episkopos and presbyteros (“bishop” and “presbyter”) refer to the same persons." The papal office as such was not established by Jesus Christ in the first century. 
  • Early Extra-Biblical Writings Spoke Of Pluralities Of Elders In Churches, Not Them Being Led By A Single Man Over The Rest: 
          -“And so, elect for yourselves bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord, gentle men who are not fond of money, who are true and approved.” (1 Clement, 42:4)
          -“And so, elect for yourselves bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord, gentle men who are not fond of money, who are true and approved.” (Didache, 15.1)
          -“Let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor.” (Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 5)
          -“Appoint elders who are faithful and good, and who have already been approved by the Lord.” (The Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 2, Chapter 4)
  • The Benefits Of A Church Having Pluralities Of Elders:
          -The plurality of elders and the autonomy of each assembly was cemented doctrine before the end of the apostolic age. The weakness of the flesh always pursues efficiency, organization, and control in any group. God's plan for the government of the local assembly is nothing short of divine brilliance. It diffuses ambition, curtails pride, and distributes authority among the saints, with elders leading (never ruling) by example only.
          -While Rome's association with the Apostle Peter and its apostolic heritage bolstered its authority, this connection is more a retrospective justification for its dominance. The elevation of Rome's status was influenced by its position as the capital of the Western Roman Empire, rather than any mandate from Jesus Christ. Rome's supremacy was not rooted in divine will, but instead shaped by human ambition and the socio-political landscape of the time.
  • Surveying The Development Of The Episcopacy In The Second Century:
          -In A.D. 150, a significant distinction emerged between the roles of elder and bishop within the early Christian communities. This was the period when individual congregations began to be governed by singular bishops, diverging from the previous collegial leadership model. Bishops started to exercise authority over other church leaders, akin to a senior pastor among elders. This shift marked the beginning of a hierarchical structure within the church, where one bishop held preeminent authority.
          -This organizational change was gradual and varied across different regions. The writings of Ignatius of Antioch provide crucial evidence of this development, particularly in Asia Minor. Ignatius' epistles emphasize the importance of a singular bishop’s authority within the local congregation, urging unity and obedience to the bishop as a representative of God. He believed that a centralized episcopal authority would help maintain doctrinal purity and ecclesiastical order amidst the growing Christian communities.
          -"Caird notes that in the latter half of the first century three events occurred that altered the character of the church: (1) the final break between Christianity and Judaism, (2) the beginning of persecution by Rome, and (3) the death of many who had been principal leaders in the early church. The death of the apostles, the crumbling of the old covenant, outbreaks of persecution, and the prevalence of heresy and false prophecy led to the rise of the monarchical bishop. Caird suggests that the vigor with which Ignatius states his case for the bishop’s role implies that this new development had been “vigorously opposed” by many in the churches. In any case, the rise of the monarchical bishop is best understood as the expedient by which the early church asserted its right to condemn divergent views in the absence of the apostles. Cf. Caird, The Apostolic Age, 141–55 (esp. pp. 141, 151-52)." (Understanding the Church, by Joseph M. Vogl and John H. Fish III, p. 21)
  • Surveying The Development Of The Episcopacy In The Fourth Century:
          -Archbishops, who presided over a group of churches along with their respective assemblies of worship, emerged from the most prominent cities of their era. These influential figures were initially recognized for their leadership and administrative skills within their local regions. Over time, as the Christian church expanded and its hierarchical structure evolved, these archbishops began to oversee larger ecclesiastical territories known as dioceses.
          -The rise of these high-ranking bishops was closely tied to the status of the cities they served. Prominent urban centers such as Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and later Constantinople, played pivotal roles in the early Christian world. The archbishops of these key cities were not only spiritual leaders but also wielded significant political and social influence. Their prominence led them to be acknowledged as patriarchs, a title denoting their preeminent authority and seniority within the church hierarchy.
          -Patriarchs were entrusted with the oversight of vast ecclesiastical provinces, often encompassing multiple regions and cultures. They played a crucial role in shaping doctrinal orthodoxy, addressing heresies, and maintaining the unity of the church. Councils and synods, where patriarchs convened to deliberate on theological and administrative matters, became central to the governance of the church.
          -This excerpt from Canon Six of the Council Of Nicaea shows that the Roman bishop had jurisdiction only over Rome at this point in time: "The Bishop of Alexandria shall have jurisdiction over Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis. As also the Roman bishop over those subject to Rome. So, too, the Bishop of Antioch and the rest over those who are under them." (cited by Philip Schaff, Ancient Epitome of Canon VI.)
  • Surveying The Development Of The Episcopacy In The Mid Fifth To Late Sixth Centuries:
          -The five patriarchs of the early Christian Church were Jerusalem (officially recognized in the fifth century), Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome (each recognized in the first century), and Constantinople (recognized in the fourth century). Each patriarchate operated independently, governing its own affairs. While Rome and Constantinople were considered equals in authority, Rome was held in the highest esteem, partly due to its connection to St. Peter and its apostolic heritage. Constantinople, often referred to as the leading patriarchate of the East, held significant influence. However, neither Rome nor Constantinople wielded universal authority over all of Christendom.
  • Surveying The Development Of The Episcopacy In The Late Sixth Into The Early Seventh Centuries:
          -There was a final struggle between Rome and Constantinople for the title of universal bishop. The two most powerful patriarchs fought for jurisdiction over the entire Christian church. Although Constantinople was first to appoint its head as being the universal bishop of Christianity, the Roman bishop Gregory condemned the usage of that title as being characteristic of an anti-Christ. He declared that no man, not even himself, was worthy of possessing such an title! His successor, Boniface III, ultimately embraced it, securing Rome's supremacy over Constantinople and establishing the papal office's universal authority. It was backed by an edict from Emperor Phocas, which officially recognized the See of Rome as the head of all churches. This imperial endorsement gave Rome a decisive advantage over Constantinople, solidifying its authority and establishing the papal office's supremacy within the Christian church hierarchy. The political and religious weight of this recognition ensured Rome's victory in the struggle for universal jurisdiction.

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