Political Science 1020E Chapter Notes -Legal Personality, Christian Republic, Sacerdotalism
1 May 2013
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Document Summary
Political consciousness invariably reflects the existing form of polity. The conflict was between institutionally intertwined organizations over their respective role and authority in governing what eventually became known as the respublica christiana. Because christianity was not a state religion dedication to the preservation of existing political values and structures as were the pagan religions of rome and earlier states. The church alone remained a viable political organization with roots in roman civilization. Kingship is sacred office, that political authority is derived from god and the king rules by divine right. The conflict between regnum and sacerdotium would last for centuries as a conflict between church and empire, ultimately between church and emerging territorial state, and it would take the form of a struggle between two monarchs. The dilemma was clear enough: how to recognize the divine origin of kingly authority and the legitimacy of the secular polity without conceding religious functions to the state and priestly authority to the king.
