From the Church Drinking Fountain

In the Introduction, Stellman argues for a couple of his foundational premises, wanting us to see a clear distinction between worship and life. The basic question he is seeking to answer is this: “What is the relationship between cult and culture, the church and the world?” (p. xviii). Stellman argues that theocracy requires two components …

The Disciples on the Road Behind Jesus Quarreled for a Long Time

Book 4/Chapter 7 Struggle for primacy (section 14) 1. Why were Rome and Constantinople in a struggle? 2. How was the pecking order of the churches established in the first place? 3. What was the older rule when civil primacy was transferred to another city? 4. Which pope altered this rule? Leo and Nicea (section …

The Cape and Beanie Make It Worse Somehow

I want to undertake a detailed review of a new book by Jason Stellman, one entitled Dual Citizens. There are a number of reasons for doing this, but those reasons should become increasingly manifest as we go along. The central reason is that I have become settled in my conviction that a particular form of …

Some Early Snarls

Book 4/Chapter 7 An early snarl (section 10) 1. What early tangle shows the nature of the Roman bishop’s authority? 2. What happened? Forgeries (section 11) 1. What is characteristic of most of the forgeries giving the Roman pontiff great power? 2. Are all such documents forgeries? The power of Rome grows (section 12) 1. …