LEO THE GREAT (POPE 440-461)

Read the excerpts from Leo the Great The Petrine Theory Stated (ThM, No. 35, pp. 85f.) Col. 628. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, caused his truth to be promulgated through the apostles. And while this duty was placed on all the apostles, the Lord made St. Peter the head of them all, that from him as from their head these gifts should flow out into all the body. So that if anyone separates himself from St. Peter he should know that he has no share in the divine blessing. Col. 656. If any dissensions in regard to church matters and the clergy should arise among you, we wish you to settle them and report to us all the terms of the settlement, so that we may confirm all your just and reasonable decisions. Col. 995. Constantinople has its own glory and by the mercy of God has become the seat of the empire. But secular matters are based on one thing, ecclesiastical matters on another. For nothing will stand which is not built on the rock [Peter] which the Lord laid in the foundation [Matt. 16:18] Your city is royal, but you cannot make it apostolic [as Rome is, because its church was founded by St. Peter]. Col 1031. You will learn with what reverence the bishop of Rome treats the rulers and canons of the church if you read my letters by which I resisted the ambition of the patriarch of Constantinople, and you will see also that I am the guardian of the catholic faith and of the decrees of the church fathers. Col. 991. On this account of the holy and most blessed pope, Leo, the head of the universal church, with the consent of the holy synod, endowed with the dignity of St. Peter, who is the foundation of the church, the rock of the faith, and the door-keeper of heaven, through us, his vicars, deprived his of his rank as bishop, etc. Col. 615. And because we have the care of all the churches, and the Lord, who made Peter the prince of the apostles, holds us responsible for it, etc. Col. 881. Believing that it is reasonable and just that as the holy Roman church, through St. Peter, the prince of the apostles, is the head of all the churches of whole world, etc. Col. 147. This festival should be so celebrated that in my humble person he [Peter] should be seen and honored who has the care over all the shepherds and the sheep committed to him, and whose dignity is not lacking in me, his heir, although I am unworthy.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary CH501

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2005 Dr. David Currie

Roman Authority Derived from Petrine Primacy (Sermo 4:2-3) 2. It is by far more profitable, and more worthy, to raise the mind's eye to the contemplation of the glory of the most blessed Peter, and to celebrate this day chiefly in honor of him who was watered with so copious streams from the very fountain of all graces that, while nothing has passed to others without his participation, yet he received many special privileges of his own....And yet, out of the whole world, one, Peter is chosen, who presides both at the call of the Gentiles, and over all the apostles and collected fathers of the Church; so that though there be, among God's people, many priests and many shepherds, yet Peter especially rules all whom Christ also rules originally. Beloved, it is a great and wonderful sharing of his own power which the divine honor bestowed on this man, and if he wished that other rulers should be in common with him, yet did he never give except through him what he denied not to others. And then the Lord asks all the apostles what men think of him; and they answer in common so long as they set forth the doubtfulness of human ignorance...."And upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. On this strength, he says, I will build an eternal temple, and the loftiness of my Church, reaching to heaven, shall rise upon the firmness of this faith. 3...."I will give to thee the keys...loosed in heaven." The right of this power did indeed pass on to the other apostles, and the order of this decree passed on to all the chiefs of the Church; but not in vain was that which was imparted to all entrusted to one. Therefore this is commended to Peter separately, because all the rulers of the Church are invested with the figure of Peter. The privilege therefore of Peter remains, wherever judgment is passed from his equity. Nor is there too much severity or indulgence, where nothing is bound, nothing loosed, except what blessed Peter either looses or binds. Again as his passion pressed on, which was to shake the firmness of the disciples, the Lord says, "Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted, confirm thy brethren, that ye enter not into temptation". The danger from the temptation of fear was common to all apostles, and they equally needed help of divine protection, since the devil desired to harass and shatter all; and yet special care is taken of Peter by the Lord, and he asks specially for the faith of Peter, as if the state of the others would be more certain if the mind of the chief were not overcome. So then in Peter the strength of all is fortified, and the help of divine grace is so ordered that the stability which through Christ is given to Peter, through Peter is conveyed to the apostles. Discuss the following questions: 1. How does Leo link Peter with Christ and the apostles? What relevance does Peter's position have with the bishop of Rome according to Leo? How
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would separating oneself from the Pope lose one's share in the divine blessing? 2. How does Leo respond to the claims of Constantinople both in terms the origin of the city and the character of the current patriarch? How does Leo argue from Scripture, tradition, orthodoxy and reason?

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary CH501

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2005 Dr. David Currie