Search Results

The Challenge of Theology and Power in Action: Bishops, Cities, and Empire, a.d. 337–361

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

Chapter 8 argues that the dispute encouraged bishops to devise new strategies of asserting their authority in city and empire, sometimes in sheer opposition to the emperor and even questioning his ... More

Chapter 8 argues that the dispute encouraged bishops to devise new strategies of asserting their authority in city and empire, sometimes in sheer opposition to the emperor and even questioning his legitimacy. The chapter deals with the period from the death of Constantine to Julian's reign, as the faaçade of Nicene unity finally crumbled, and rival groups of bishops brought the dispute out into the open, scrambling to have their own definition of faith prevail. The author stresses in particular the role that violence, practiced on a new and unprecedented scale, played in this process.Less

Claiming Truth, Projecting Power, A.D. 325–337

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

Nicaea failed to produce theological consensus, but in the politically charged climate after the council, theological disagreement became even more threatening to church leaders, who understood that ... More

Nicaea failed to produce theological consensus, but in the politically charged climate after the council, theological disagreement became even more threatening to church leaders, who understood that their leadership had come to depend on their ability to convince as many people as possible of the orthodoxy of their views and legitimacy of their positions. Focusing on the particularly well-documented early career of Athanasius, this chapter looks at the consolidation of the new style of church leadership that had emerged in the early years of the Arian controversy. As the dispute rekindled, prelates responded to its challenges not by seeking consensus and compromise, but by asserting their authority, suppressing opposition, and promoting their views on a much wider field.Less

Precision, Devotion, and Controversy in Alexandria

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

This chapter demonstrates how, in the early Arian controversy in Alexandria, there was a subtle but fundamental change in the nature of church leaders' response to theological disagreement. ... More

This chapter demonstrates how, in the early Arian controversy in Alexandria, there was a subtle but fundamental change in the nature of church leaders' response to theological disagreement. Challenged by their rivals and driven by a new certainty that they possessed the truth, church leaders embarked on a disruptive quest to prove their orthodoxy and discredit their opponents. Persistent confrontation, combined with a determination to undermine fellow churchmen, replaced the former attempts to find consensus. The chapter argues that this change resulted from the need to achieve greater precision in defining the truth about God, which altered one's relationship with one's belief and encouraged a deeper sense of devotion to rival conceptions of the deity. These developments hindered efforts to reach compromise.Less

Introduction

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

The introduction describes the genesis of this study in light of the author's interests in religious violence associated with the so-called Arian controversy in the fourth century AD. After briefly ... More

The introduction describes the genesis of this study in light of the author's interests in religious violence associated with the so-called Arian controversy in the fourth century AD. After briefly surveying the historiography, it explains how this study, with its focus on the impact of the theological controversy on patterns of church authority, hopes to make an original contribution. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of the habitus, the study postulates a connection between engagement in controversy and the rise of new style of church leadership that came to define the episcopal office in the fourth century AD. The introduction also lays out the chapter structure of the book and provides a justification for the geographical and chronological limits of the study.Less

Christian Leadership and the Challenge of Theology

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

Focusing on the early church, chapter 1 discusses the challenges that theological disagreement and dissent posed to church leaders at a time when their authority came increasingly to rest on their ... More

Focusing on the early church, chapter 1 discusses the challenges that theological disagreement and dissent posed to church leaders at a time when their authority came increasingly to rest on their claims to possess God's Spirit. In these circumstances, whenever bishops were believed to have strayed from the truth—as often happened in theological disputes—their claims to possess God's Spirit were questioned, and their legitimacy was threatened.Less

“Not in the Spirit of Controversy”: Truth, Leadership, and Solidarity

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

This chapter aims to show how, in the early church, bishops generally adhered to a pattern of conduct rooted in a tradition of solidarity and cooperation with one's peers. When confronted with ... More

This chapter aims to show how, in the early church, bishops generally adhered to a pattern of conduct rooted in a tradition of solidarity and cooperation with one's peers. When confronted with doctrinal dissent, bishops strove to end disagreement and settle disputes by seeking compromise through negotiation and debate. It argues that the absence of precise criteria for orthodoxy and the benign ambiguity of the “rule of faith” discouraged sustained confrontation even as disagreements over doctrine became more common.Less

“For the Sake of the Logos”: Spreading the Controversy

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

Chapter 5 follows the dispute as it migrated outside of Egypt and engaged church leaders elsewhere in the East. It argues that the same processes at work in Alexandria fueled the expansion of the ... More

Chapter 5 follows the dispute as it migrated outside of Egypt and engaged church leaders elsewhere in the East. It argues that the same processes at work in Alexandria fueled the expansion of the conflict in other communities: the same devotion to precise theologies of the Son and the same urgency to instruct the people. And as church leaders discovered that popular support helped them validate their claims of orthodoxy, the escalation of the conflict became inevitable and compromise even harder to attain.Less

“To Please the Overseer of All”: The Emperor's Involvement and the Politicization of Theology

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

Chapter 6 deals with the impact on the controversy of Constantine's intervention and the “criminalization” of doctrinal dissent following the proclamation of Nicene orthodoxy. Thereafter, theological ... More

Chapter 6 deals with the impact on the controversy of Constantine's intervention and the “criminalization” of doctrinal dissent following the proclamation of Nicene orthodoxy. Thereafter, theological positions became politically charged and dissent from orthodoxy, however that was defined, posed even more serious threats to prelates' claims to leadership.Less

Conclusion

Carlos R. Galvão-Sobrinho

in Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

The conclusion revisits the central arguments of the book and pulls together the main threads of this study.