Calvin’s Institutes, IV.4.7.11-16. “Attitude of fifth- and sixth-century popes: Rome vs. Constantinople.”IV.7.16: “Pride of John the Faster and modesty of Gregory”
There's an old saying, "He curses like a `Sailor.'" We introduce a new and true saying, "He lies like a `Pope.'"
Observations:
1. The controversy arises between John the Faster and the bishop of Rome, Gregory the Great.
2. John the Faster (d.595) was the 33rd Patriarch of Constantinople (582-595). He assumed the title “Ecumencial Patriarch and is celebrated as a saint on 2 September, annually.
3. Calvin says of John the Faster: “…bursts forth with the claim that he was the universal patriarch.”
4. Gregory stedfastly opposed this. From Calvin: “The pride as well as the madness of John was truly intolerable: he wanted the boundaries of his bishopric to be the same as the boundaries of the Empire.” Gregory does not claim what he is denying to John, but rather “abominates as wicked, impious, and execrable that title, by whomever it is assumed.”
5. An Alexandrian bishop, Eulogius, attempts to fix the title on Gregory of Rome. "Universal Pope."
6. Here’s Gregory’s rebuttal and correction of the Alexandrian bishop: “See here by calling me `universal pope’ in the preface to the letter you have sent me, you have taken care to inscribe a word of proud address that I have forbidden. I beg your holiness not to do this henceforth, because when more is given to another than reason requires, it is withdrawn from you. I consider it no honor to see the honor of my brethren diminished. For my honor is the honor of the church universal, and the life and vigor of my brethren. But if your holiness call me `universal pope,’ that is to deny to yourself what you attribute wholly to me.”[1] The short of it: don't use the derogatory term again in any correspondence.
Correlations:
1. Hildebrandian Papacy. Hildebrand, called “Hell Fire” in Germany.
2. The Great Schism of 1054, which divided Eastern and Western Christianity, the result of long-standing political, doctrinal, ecclesiastical, geographical and linguistic contests.
3. The Fourth Lateran Council, 1215, wherein Petrine supremacy over the world was re-asserted.
4. Unam Sanctum, 1301-2. Boniface VIII.
5. The rise and history of pompous titles, e.g. "Your Holiness," "Your grace," "Your eminence," etc., and other fooled titles still in use, including the Goth medievalists in the AC/TRACTO crowd.
Interpretation:
The attitudes of fifth century bishops in the east do not cede to Rome a supremacy that she still obstinately claims other than a “place of honour.” Leo in the fifth century resented the recognition afforded to Constantinople, their growing influence, and their failure to embrace his views. So much for Petrine Supremacy. By the time of Gregory I in the late sixth century…continuingly…there is no claim to universal Petrine supremacy by the bishops of Rome. What comes later is a beaucratic growth with a beaucracy in search of biblical substantiation and historical precedent. Neither exists.
Applications:
1. Consider the silence in Confessional and wider evangelical circles.
2. Consider worldwide implications of this silence, e.g. Third World and Southern Cone countries.
3. Consider the impact on a solitary Romanist believer and the evangelistic necessity and tactics of informing such that he’s been lied to and that these continuing defenses by Rome as mere “imperialism” without support.
4. Pull—as should be done—"the integrity card" on the Romanists in denial. Rome has had centuries to get into a “rehab” and “detox” program. They are worse than alcoholics. They are—the whole bunch of them—corporate liars. “Remove from me, O LORD, proud and lying lips.” Play the integrity card, the trump card, with Romanists.
[1] Gregory, Letters, V.37, 39, 41, 44, 45. Cf. F.H. Dudden, Gregory the Great: His Place in History and Thought, II. 201-237.
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