First published 2013
William Humphrey presents a theological treatise defending the Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy. He builds his case on four central claims: Jesus Christ established a visible kingdom on earth, Christ actively rules this kingdom rather than merely reigning over it, Christ exercises this rule through his chosen representative on earth, and without this visible representative Christ's authority would remain theoretical rather than practical. Humphrey examines the papal election process, explaining that while a predecessor may determine election procedures, the newly elected pope receives his authority directly from Christ himself through divine law established with Peter. The author traces this institution back to Caesarea Philippi, where Christ designated Peter as the foundation before announcing his intention to build the Church. Humphrey extends his analysis to civil society, arguing that God creates all social structures with inherent hierarchies. He describes the family as the primary example, where husbands hold authority over wives and parents over children. According to Humphrey, authority forms the essential center that creates unity within any society, making social organization impossible without clear superior and subordinate relationships.
Genres: christian, christian-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century, academic, catholic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: religious-themes
Setting: Caesarea Philippi
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
116 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform