The general councils : a history of the twenty-one general councils from Nicaea to Vatican II / Christopher M. Bellitto.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bellitto, Christopher M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Councils and synods, Ecumenical.

Physical Description:

xi, 156 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Paulist Press, [2002]

Summary:

Tracing the story of the Catholic Church's 21 general councils is one of the best ways to learn about the 2,000-year course of Christianity, affirms church historian Christopher Bellitto. In this book, sister volume to his acclaimed Renewing Christianity, he offers readers a succinct history of the 21 general councils, beginning with the First Council of Nicaea in the year 325 and ending with the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.Bellitto organizes the councils into four parts: the councils of the early church, of the Middle Ages, of the Reformation and of modern times (Vatican I and II). And he introduces readers to the historical contexts, major tasks, achievements and failures of the councils and their impact on their times.Timely and informational, The General Councils is ideal for undergraduates and general readers.Highlights:--Ideal companion volume for Renewing Christianity ("Brilliant."--Library Journal).--Written in accessible, non-technical language.--A fast-paced read.

Contents:

Developing doctrine : Nicaea I (325) to Constantinople III (680-681)

Prayer and politics : Nicaea II (787) and Constantinople IV (869-870)

Supervising the early church : disciplinary canons

Four Lateran councils : 1123-1215

Power struggles : Lyons I (1245) to Vienne (1311-1312)

Supervising the medieval church : disciplinary canons

Councils vs. popes : Constance (1414-1418) and Basel-Ferrara-Florence-Rome (1431-1445)

Reform lost and regained : Lateran V (1512-1517) and Trent (1545-1563)

Papal infallibility : Vatican I (1869-1870)

Brave new world, brave new council : Vatican II (1962-1965).

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0809140195

OCLC:

49681522