Lucifero di Cagliari: Una voce nel conflitto tra chiesa e impero alla meta del IV secolo (review)

Giuseppe Corti notes that studies of Lucifer of Cagliari tend to focus upon one of three themes: Lucifer's role in the conflict between the church and the emperor, Lucifer as the possible founder of and inspiration for the so-called "Luciferians," and the constitution of the pre-Jerome Latin Bible cited in Lucifer's writings. Corti's study focuses upon the first theme, seeking to justify a closer examination of Lucifer's contributions to church-state relations. Within this enigmatic bishop's strident prose, contends the author, one can find a generally consistent argument for the separation of church and state rooted in a strict adherence to the Nicene faith.

Corti recognizes that the paucity of sources does not allow for a "biography" of the Sardinian bishop. (He does, however, sprinkle the text with some intriguing suggestions regarding Lucifer's origins, such as his possible formation and education in Rome. The Roman connection would account for the selection of Lucifer as a delegate to Milan and his place among the allies of Pope Liberius in the defense of Athanasius and Nicea). Instead, the author begins with a general review of the fourth-century Arian crisis, highlighting the theme of church-state relations and Lucifer's particular interventions.

The first three chapters, which account for over half the book, cover the formation of the imperial bond with the church under Constantine and conclude with the rule of Emperor Julian and the death of Lucifer. The church's rise to prominence under Constantine formed a tradition of both imperial interventions into church governance and the church's general reliance upon the emperor for the enforcement and stabilization of her decrees (Arles in 314, Nicea in 325, etc.). Even when the Arian-leaning Constantius became the sole emperor in 353, the West remained relatively complacent toward the shift in secular power. The general respect for hierarchy and authority had become an ingrained feature in the Christian psyche. The Donatists, of course, offered a clear alternative to this general acceptance though their antipathy for the state—"Quid est imperatori cum ecclesia?"—remained primarily a regional position.

Lucifer becomes the focus of Corti's remaining study of the crisis though other major figures of the "resistance" receive ample treatment, e.g., Pope Liberius, Hosius of Córdoba, Hilary of Poitiers, Athanasius, and Eusebius of Vercelli. Chapter 2 goes into great detail regarding the turbulent council of Milan (355), the intervention of Constantius by moving the proceedings to the palace, and the subsequent condemnation and exile of the opposing bishops. Corti also examines the theological debates that continued under Constantius' reign, particularly the twin councils of Rimini-Seleucia (359) and the pressures applied by the emperor in order to acquire full acceptance of the council proceedings. Throughout all of these theological and political contentions Lucifer adhered to the Nicene Creed as the nonnegotiable touchstone of the faith, and in a series of passionate writings against Constantius began to defend the autonomy of the church.

The historical portion of Corti's work concludes with the coming of Julian to power and the Council of Alexandria (362). Lucifer himself did not participate in the council though he did send representatives and received a copy of the "tomus." Corti suggests that Lucifer saw Athanasius' compromises in the council as a foregone conclusion and, therefore, preferred to go to Antioch in order to address the on-going schism between "New" Nicenes and "Old" Nicenes. In Antioch Lucifer performed his most "infamous" act by ordaining Paulinus bishop (though obviously with the aid of two other bishops) and encouraging the strict adherence to the Nicene faith as the only legitimate form of Christian orthodoxy. Though most scholars believe that Lucifer exhibited an egregious lack of judgment in his actions, Corti does defend the Sardinian bishop by noting that he sought to resolve a longstanding division...