At 06:58 PM 11/3/00 -0700, you wrote:
>Gregory's instructions to Augustine and Ethelbert served different
>purposes. His words to Augustine are clear. Bede, 1, 27 Question
>2. ... et haec quasi in fasciculum collecta, apud Anglorum mentes in
>consuetudinem depone. (Get it done any way you can.)
>Dave Forth
i'm not sure this resolves the paradox in any way, but in any case, it's
not what i'm referring to. the paradox lies in the contradiction btwn what
augustine taught ethelbert
"he wd not compel anyone to accept xnty, for he had learned from his
instructors and guides to salvation that the service of xt must be accepted
freely and not under any compulsion" (I.26)
"therefore, my illustrious son, zealously foster the grace that God has
given you and press on with the task of extending the xn faith among the
people committed to your charge. make their conversion your first concern;
suppress the worship of idols and destory their shrines..." (I.32)
this is a pattern, notable over the course of the first xn century of power
(from constantine to theodosius), and here apparently occurring literally
within the lifetime of the "royal" convert.
richard
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