Justo Gonzalez, Ph.D.: "History of Christianity, Vol. 1:" Ch.21--Ambrose...

Chapter 21, pages 219-224. Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD)— the story is told of Ambrose’s unexpected election, his service as the Bishop of Milan and his interactions with Emperors. Milan’s Bishop died and Ambrose, the capable and popular governor of the Milan, convenes the church for an election of a new Bishop; the story is told that he was chosen Bishop by congregational acclamation: “Ambrose, bishop! Ambrose! Ambrose!” (219) Apocryphal, embellished or…what?” If so, it’s chaotic, disorderly and unacceptable. While apparently a good governor of Milan, he was a catechumen and unbaptized. So, to get on with it, he was hustled through the orders to the Bishopric. But, as a true believer, under Christ's sovereign command, he took his episcopal duties seriously, studied serious theology, and preached “the Scriptures.” Augustine was one of the auditors and was Pantokrator’s Bishop was the agent of Augustine's conversion, the finest mind of the Western tradition. Ambrose, in time, had clashes with an Arian Empress Justina, refusing some requests; predictably, envy and contempt ride on the mule of offended pride, but Ambrose survives her antagonisms. Later, Theodosius in time fleeted up to be the sole Emperor. One hears of the famed stare-down between the Emperor and steely Bishop of Milan. The Bishop does a slapdown of Imperial pride. Theodosius had had 7000 Thessalonicans lured into an amphitheater, allegedly to hear an Imperial pardon for a past riot, but, instead of the Imperial pardon, he had them killed--the sword of blood to 7000 Thessalonicans. Theodosius returned to Milan, attempted to enter the church, but Ambrose stopped him—repentance before entrance here. He was literally stopped at the door and the Bishop was not going to get rolled-up like a blanket. The story of his fidelity to Scriptures, his faith in Christ as the Carpenter and Pantokrator, and his courage before a Civil Poobah is a role model for any Churchmen. Christ over Governors.