During the fourth century A.D., theological controversy divided Christian communities throughout the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. At stake was not only the truth about God but also the authority of church leaders, whose legitimacy depended on their claims to represent that truth. In this book, Carlos R. Galvao-Sobrinho argues that out of these disputes was born a new style of church leadership, one in which the power of the episcopal office was greatly increased. He shows how these disputes compelled church leaders repeatedly to assert their orthodoxy and legitimacy—tasks that required them to mobilize their congregations and engage in action that continuously projected their power in the public arena. These developments were largely the work of prelates of the first half of the fourth century, but the style of command they inaugurated became the basis for a dynamic model of ecclesiastical leadership found throughout late antiquity.
By:
Carlos R. Galvao-Sobrinho
Imprint: University of California Press
Country of Publication: United States
Volume: 51
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 33mm
Weight: 590g
ISBN: 9780520257399
ISBN 10: 0520257391
Series: Transformation of the Classical Heritage
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 30 August 2013
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
College/higher education
,
Undergraduate
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
"Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Points of Departure: Theology and Christian Leadership in the Third-Century Church 1. Christian Leadership and the Challenge of Theology 2. ""Not in the Spirit of Controversy"": Truth, Leadership, and Solidarity Part II. God in Dispute: Devotion and Truth, A.D. 318--325 3. Precision, Devotion, and Controversy in Alexandria 4. Making the People a Partner to the Dispute 5. ""For the Sake of the Logos"": Spreading the Controversy 6. ""To Please the Overseer of All"": The Emperor's Involvement and the Politicization of Theology Part III. Defining God: Truth and Power, A.D. 325--361 7. Claiming Truth, Projecting Power, A.D. 325--337 8. The Challenge of Theology and Power in Action: Bishops, Cities, and Empire, A.D. 337--361 Conclusion Appendix Bishops Investigated or Deposed for Doctrinal Reasons before the Arian Controversy Compromise and Solidarity in Doctrinal Controversy in the Early Church The Workshops of Alexandria Kolluthus's Schism and the Arians The Recall of Arius and the Bithynian Bishops The Arian Community of Alexandria after Nicaea Athanasius and Arsenius of Hypsele Events Involving Athanasius from Spring 330 to Winter 332 From Athanasius's Flight to the Councils of Rome and Antioch, 339--341 List of Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index"
Carlos Galvao-Sobrinho is Associate Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Reviews for Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire
Scholars of early Christianity and of Christian theology more generally will find this fascinating reading... Highly recommended. CHOICE 20140601 A thoughtful and scholarly volume that has much to offer to anyone interested in either the Arian controversy itself or the wider subject of episcopal authority in late antiquity. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 20140505
