Once the Christian Church gained ascendancy in the Roman Empire,the highest authority in deciding doctrine was___________,though this would change in later centuries.
A) The Bishop of Rome, who was the pope
B) The emperor, as a newly styled pontifex maximus of the Christian Church
C) The Christian leader of Christianity's holiest city, the Patriarch of Jerusalem
D) The leader of the church in Constantinople, the Patriarch of Constantinople
E) The Christian believers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The emperor held the highest authority in deciding doctrine after the Christian Church gained ascendancy in the Roman Empire, as he was seen as the pontifex maximus, a title that was adapted from Roman religious tradition. This would change in later centuries with the rise of papal authority and the establishment of the papacy as a central figure in doctrinal decisions.

Once the Christian Church Gained Ascendancy in the Roman Empire,the