From Apostles to Bishops: The Development of the Episcopacy in the Early Church [Hardcover]

Francis Aloysius Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

In this book distinguished theologian, teacher and writer Francis Sullivan examines the origins and development of the episcopacy in the early church. One of the issues he concentrates on in particular is the church-dividing character of the question whether bishops are the successors of the apostles by divine institution, with the consequence that valid ministry depends on ordination by bishops in the historical apostolic succession.

Ecumenical dialogues have produced no agreement on this matter. On the one hand Catholics, Orthodox and most Anglicans teach that episcopal ordination in the apostolic succession is necessary for valid orders and ministry. But Protestants insist that there is no evidence in the New Testament for a divine institution of the episcopate.

Using primary sources, Sullivan explores evidence for the development of the episcopate, first in the New Testament, then in Christian writings up to the middle of the third century. His thought-provoking work will be welcomed by professional theologians and serious students of theology, for whom it will prove to be an important resource for further ecclesiological study.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A welcome contribution to both the historical study of the ministry and the current ecumenical movement. -- Catholic Studies

Catholics and Protestants will appreciate having so much information on this much-debated topic readily available. -- Joseph T. Lienhard, S.J. Professor of Theology Fordham University

Ecumenists and bishops will be enlightened and challenged by this book, as the author grapples with this 'church-dividing' issue. -- Agnes Cunningham, SSCM

This book should become a source-book for ecumenists as they wrestle with issues dividing Protestants from Catholics and Orthodox. -- Jared Wicks, S.J. Member, Lutheran/Roman Catholic International Commission on Unity

This is a precious and timely contribution to ecumenical dialogue. -- Gerald O'Collins, S.J. Professor of Systematic and Fundamental Theology Gregorian University, Rome

About the Author

Francis A. Sullivan, S.J., is professor emeritus of the faculty of theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he also earned an S.T.D. degree. He now teaches ecclesiology at Boston College. His other books for Paulist Press™ are Magisterium, The Church We Believe In and Creative Fidelity.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809105349
• ISBN-13: 978-0809105342
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stimulating, November 12, 2002

By 

The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. G. G. Block - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Apostles to Bishops: The Development of the Episcopacy in the Early Church (Hardcover)

Because I am a Lutheran clergyman, it is predictable that I disagree with Father Sullivan about what it means for the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" to be both catholic and apostolic. Therefore, I disagree with Father Sullivan regarding his conclusions about the nature of the episcopacy and the validity of the Eucharist outside of Roman Catholic communities.

Nevertheless, Father Sullivan's research is scrupulously honest, even when honesty demands that he disagree with popular Catholic beliefs. He presents his opponents' arguments gently and with great kindness. His arguments and conclusions are reasonable. Perhaps most importantly, his discussion is intellectually and spiritually stimulating.

Whether you agree or disagree with the Roman Catholic position on these issues, read Father Sullivan's work. You will struggle with its rich content. You will grow because of that struggle.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An essentail and impressive read, September 29, 2003

By 

James T Humphrey II (Huntersville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Apostles to Bishops: The Development of the Episcopacy in the Early Church (Hardcover)

I picked up this book expecting not to like it, and actually started to heavily enjoy it from the start. Sullivan looks very closely and critically at the writings of the New Testament, and the church fathers of the late-first through the mid-third century , attempting to discover the development of the Church as an organization. Sometimes I could not believe the words I was reading are written by a Roman Catholic. Sullivan is not affraid to say the rhetoric of many Roman Catholic scholars that one often hears is wrong... though he ultimately agrees with the final conclusions of the Roman Catholic Church.

One will find Sullivan's scholarhip and conclusions to be extremely tight, and difficult to argue with. Though, he essentially says some of his conclusions can only be accepted by faith... that is: the post New Testament development of the Church in the second and third centuries to have been divinely guided by the Spirit.

He tries to prove this saying, "We have just as good reason for believing that the Spirit guided the church in recognizing its bishops as successors of the apostles and authoritative teachers of the faith as we have for believing that the Spirit guided it in discerning the books that comprise the New Testament." (p. 230) A powerful argument, but ultimately, only one that can be accepted by faith. Many scholars would say the books that make up New Testament canon were well accepted by consensus of the faithful at large well before the bishops decided it in formal councils.

Ultimately though, I personally believe the fundamental flaw which the author makes is the assumption that the apostolic office faded out of existance after the intial apostles and their apostolic co-workers died. Many Pentecostals/Charismatics (such as myself) would strongly disagree with Sullivan, and would say that the New Testament points to a continuation of the apostolic office (Ephesians 4:11-13) well beyond that of the first century (Many would say it continues to exist today). If apostles would continue to exist, then, one cannot properly say that bishops replaced the apostles and their co-workers. I would be highly interested to see what Sullivan would think of this point of contention... one that he is probably aware of.

Overall, this book will probably become a classic in the study of Ecclesiology... and rightfully so.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and Scholarly, March 10, 2008

By 

Stratiotes Doxha Theon "2 Thes 2:15" (Richmond, Missouri) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: From Apostles to Bishops: The Development of the Episcopacy in the Early Church (Hardcover)

Fr. Sullivan's approach is not one of dogmatic polemic. Instead, he is candid about where the case for apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic church is weak. At the same time, he is clear at where the case is quite strong. His homework and scholarly detail is meticulous and challenging. Yet, despite the depth of study, Fr. Sullivan's text is immensely approachable and entertaining. This is the source for thinking through this important topic and no library of ecclesiology (Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox) is complete without this concise but thorough study of apostolic succession.