The Everyday Lives of the Early Christians

The Everyday Lives of the Early Christians | An interview with Carl J. Sommers, author of We Look For the Kingdom: The Everyday Lives of the Early Christians | Carl E. Olson                

Carl J. Sommer's newly published book, We Look For a Kingdom, is a fascinating study of the faith, life, and world of the early Christians living in the era between the Apostles and the Emperor Constantine (A.D. 100-313). Using documentary evidence and archaeological records, Sommer reconstructs the lives   of the early Christians in order to "introduce the treasures of early Christianity to a large number of modern readers". IgnatiusInsight.com editor Carl E. Olson recently interviewed Sommer about the book, the lessons to be learned from the first Christians, and how American culture compares to ancient Roman culture.

IgnatiusInsight.com: What is your educational background and what sort of studies prepared you to write this book?

Carl J. Sommer: Years ago, I spent a couple of years in a Catholic Seminary, Conception Abbey (Benedictine) in northwest Missouri. After two years, I decided not to become a priest, but, after years in the business world, I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in theology, with plans to go on for my doctorate. I got the Masters, from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, but did not pursue the doctorate, because my wife and I started a family, and I needed to go to work. I have spent time as a parish DRE, and currently do Baptism preparation and RCIA for a parish here in St. Louis. In writing this book, I actually had to unlearn much that I "learned" at Aquinas. The faculty at Aquinas thought, and taught, that the early Church was egalitarian, with women in sacramental ministries, etc. In my research I found that, with the exception of some odd heretical sects (the kind that believed in twelve, or thirty, or a thousand gods), the early Christians were not egalitarian, and though they had substantial roles for women, they did not allow them to fulfill the priestly ministry.

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Comments

[Sandra Miesel]

It's important to remember that Tarot cards were invented as an innocent game in early 15th C Italy and only acquired their occult meaning in 18th C France. The symbols of the Major Arcana are so rich, almost anything can be read into them--and plenty of people have tried! Ordinary playing cards can also be used for divination. That forbidden practice isn't unique to the Tarot deck.

Stratford Caldecott reviewed Tomberg's book--positivel--for the NC REGISTER when it was new. It might be helpful to seek his opinion in this controversy.