Eric Sowell points to and discusses a very interesting looking book by Ramsay MacMullen, a giant in the social history of the Christianization of the Roman Empire. When awarding him with a a lifetime Award for Scholarly Distinction in 2001, the American History Association stated, “Ramsay MacMullen is the greatest historian of the Roman Empire alive today.” The work is called Voting About God in Early Church Councils (2006). I had missed this one. Check out the description:

In this study, Ramsay MacMullen steps aside from the well-worn path that previous scholars have trod to explore exactly how early Christian doctrines became official. Drawing on extensive verbatim stenographic records, he analyzes the ecumenical councils from A.D. 325 to 553, in which participants gave authority to doctrinal choices by majority vote.

The author investigates the sometimes astonishing bloodshed and violence that marked the background to church council proceedings, and from there goes on to describe the planning and staging of councils, the emperors’ role, the routines of debate, the participants’ understanding of the issues, and their views on God’s intervention in their activities. He concludes with a look at the significance of the councils and their doctrinal decisions within the history of Christendom.

Wow! I need to read this. Thanks for drawing my attention to it, Eric.