Charles Munier
Ashgate Variorum
Hardback
320
1991
The first set of articles in this collection is concerned with the nature of the bishop?s authority in the Early Church and the sources from which it was drawn. This is seen in political terms as in the writings of Justin Martyr as well as spiritual ones. Charles Munier singles out Tertullian as the first to formulate a doctrine of apostolic succession but also traces his subsequent path towards the affirmation of the authority of the Holy Spirit over that embodied in the ?Orthodox Church?. The following studies turn to a complementary area of ecclesiology that of pastoral care. The author points to the great diversity of forms of worship and rite from the earliest days of the Church these he argues reflect a constant process of adaptation to fit particular religious needs and to understand such divergences it is necessary to investigate the theological motives that lay behind them. Particular topics here are those of baptism and marriage especially the still controversial question of how and with what discretion to treat divorce and remarriage.
Ashgate Variorum
Hardback
320
1991
The first set of articles in this collection is concerned with the nature of the bishop?s authority in the Early Church and the sources from which it was drawn. This is seen in political terms as in the writings of Justin Martyr as well as spiritual ones. Charles Munier singles out Tertullian as the first to formulate a doctrine of apostolic succession but also traces his subsequent path towards the affirmation of the authority of the Holy Spirit over that embodied in the ?Orthodox Church?. The following studies turn to a complementary area of ecclesiology that of pastoral care. The author points to the great diversity of forms of worship and rite from the earliest days of the Church these he argues reflect a constant process of adaptation to fit particular religious needs and to understand such divergences it is necessary to investigate the theological motives that lay behind them. Particular topics here are those of baptism and marriage especially the still controversial question of how and with what discretion to treat divorce and remarriage.