The worst persecution against Christians that the world has ever known has just ended. Christian leaders bear scars of torture and violence all across their bodies. The priests and bishops who kept the faith despite the brutality of the Romans now look forward to a brighter future.
But here's a question...what do you do with the Christians who sold out? The ones who traded in the Scriptures to save their skin? Is their leadership still legitimate, or should they be thrown out to the dogs?
This was the starting point of the Donatist Controversy, where a bunch of dudes try to answer this very question. And they're not willing to compromise.
The worst persecution against Christians that the world has ever known has just ended. Christian leaders bear scars of torture and violence all across their bodies. The priests and bishops who kept the faith despite the brutality of the Romans now look forward to a brighter future.
But here's a question...what do you do with the Christians who sold out? The ones who traded in the Scriptures to save their skin? Is their leadership still legitimate, or should they be thrown out to the dogs?
This was the starting point of the Donatist Controversy, where a bunch of dudes try to answer this very question. And they're not willing to compromise.