Historical Theology (Dr. Allison): Church Government (#2)

Three views of church government with variants have informed church history: (1) 3 tiers of Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons (some with Cardinals and the Pope); (2) 2 tiers of Presbyters and Deacons (yet with Synods for regional governance); and, (3) Congregationals with Elder/s and Deacons with local governance only. Polycarp, Ignatius, Clement of Rome, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Cyprian of Carthage, and Jerome are put forward. The 2-order view dominated while Ignatius and Cyprian advanced a more 3-tiered view. Jerome strongly argued for a 2-tiered view based on Biblical exegesis, his strong skill-set. Also, a Bishops was largely viewed as co-equal with Presbyters or Primus inter Pares. Cyprian argues with Stephen of Rome over Petrine supremacy, Novatianism, and rigorism regarding the lapsed—Cyprian against Petrine and Stephen for. Constantinople 381 and 451 Chalcedon noted Rome’s primacy of honor, yet their equality with Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch closely behind. This bone of contention will continue through several Romish Popes until Gregory the Great and Constantinople’s Patriarch would throw down for the title of “universal” Petrine supremacy.