Although this passage is set in 1858, Carl Farness shows Herbert Ganz a hologram of himself as the Wanderer conversing with Ulfilas, the Arian Apostle to the Goths, in the fourth century.
Ulfilas:
"...moved in the vanguard of Christendom, the morrow." (p. 403)
Yet Farness, a field agent of the Time Patrol, has physically travelled from a much longer morrow! Ulfilas is canny enough to see that Carl is not an ordinary man and wonders whether he is even human. He is but he works for the post-human Danellians. But none of that can be said.
Goths are willing to offer to Christ in his lands and will convert to Arianism although:
"...from this would spring centuries of trouble." (p. 404)
Would it? I do not know the history of how Arianism was suppressed. Carl can argue neither for paganism nor for Christ.
In the opening paragraph of the following section, headed 344-347, Ermanaric becomes king of the Ostrogoths. We move closer to 372.
9 comments:
The basic problem is that the Goths (Ostrogoths and Visigoths) and Vandals would take over large parts of the Roman Empire, but their 'heretical' version of Christianity would alienate them from their subjects.
That makes sense.
and the Franks converting directly from paganism to 'orthodox' Christianity gave them an advantage over other Germanic tribes in taking over substantial parts of the Roman Empire.
The Visigoths eventually converted from Arianism to Catholicism. Of course, then they faced the Arab invasion and the long reconquista.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling and Jim!
Correct, Arianism alienated the Vandals, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths from their Catholic subjects.
This may not be on topic, but I was reminded of my view that a big reason why so many of the mainstream Protestant churches seem to be dying is because, de facto, they have become functionally Arian. That is, not really believing in the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. Leading to a general watering down of Christian belief among the main streamers. Real belief and ardor seem to be found mostly with the Catholic Church and evangelical Protestants. With exceptions, of course, such as Missouri Synod Lutherans. Or Jim's Mennonite relatives.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: tho' Arians were as convinced of the truth of their theology as Catholics -- they weren't milk-and-water types like contemporary 'churches'.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree, Arians as passionately convinced as these fourth century Goths would have only contempt for our woke, "liberal" Protestants.
The Church of England seems to be imploding with disturbing, incredible rapidity. I read that over 700 Anglican clergy and bishops converted to the Catholic Church over the past 30 years.
Ad astra! Sean
Well, you might say Catholics have met the High Church Anglicans halfway...
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I assume you had things like ANGLICANORUM COETIBUS, an Apostolic Constitution promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 in mind. The Constitution set up a framework for former Anglicans to preserve non-heretical elements of their Anglican heritage within the Catholic Church after their conversion. "Groups" of ex-Anglicans were organized into personal ordinariates having their own bishops in the UK/US/Australia.
Low church Anglicans disgusted by what's happening within the Church of England might join evangelical Protestants like the Baptists.
Don't the leaders of the Church of England care about what is happening? They are outraging and driving away many of the best and most zealous of their people!
Ad astra! Sean
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