Calvin's Institutes.4.7.13: Gregory 1's Limitations

Calvin’s Institutes, IV.7.11-16. “Attitude of fifth- and sixth-century popes: Rome vs. Constantinople.”

IV.7.13: “Limitations of the office under Gregory"

Observations:

1. We continue to speak of he 6th century bishop of Rome, Gregory the Great or Gregory 1 (540-604).

2. Calvin has been whittling down papal pretensions to universal supremacy, section by section, inch by inch. Over many posts thus far, papal pretensions are legless, crippled and dwarfed...significantly.

3. Gregory undertook to “stand against obstinate and unrestrained prelates where there was need of extraordinary remedy—and that to help, not hinder, the other bishops."

4. We reassert again that Calvin in an earlier passage spoke of the “office” of a bishop as “an holy office,” without the rancor one might hear from Presbyterians or the independents and enthusiasts.

5. Gregory assumes no more than what he recognizes in other bishops—the right to correct, but also to be corrected by other bishops. No Petrine supremacy.

6. A controvery arose between himself and an African bishop. The Emperor directs the African to come to Rome. However, Gregory puts the question to a Synod for adjudication, not himself and not by an appeal to his office. The bishop of Rome stood neither higher nor lower than the African bishop—as we’ve seen from earlier posts—and was subordinate to Synodical action, as it should be today.

7. Gregory complains that he is limited by vice of numerous administrative burdens, moreso than if he were a layman.

8. “Such great administrative burdens weigh me down that my mind cannot at all rise to heavenly things. I am tossed by many waves of causes; and after that quiet leisure I am afflicted with the storms of a troubled life; so that I may rightly say, `I have come into the depths of the sea, and the storm has engulfed me.’”[1]

9. Gregory did not interfere in others’ business unless directed by the Emperor or by pressing necessity.

Interpretation.

Calvin observes that Gregory did not claim, assert, seek or practice what later Roman bishops would earnestly seek, assert, and attempt to practice—universal jurisdiction and supremacy.

[1] Gregory, Letters. II.1. I.5, 7, 16, 25.