Ecumenical model in the theology of Leo the Grea

This dissertation focuses upon the perspective of Leo the Great, formulated by his emphasis on apostolic consensus. The historical evidence of the early Church as well as aspects of Leo's life further serve to clarify Leo's theology of apostolic consensus. This dissertation approaches the subject by allowing Leo and the ancient Christian tradition to speak for themselves. Additionally, attempts are made to analyze Leo's ecumenical model, and to clarify his theology. The whole life and work of Leo can best be understood by seeing that his doctrine and disciplinary practices are based upon appeal to antiquity and consensus.;One of the characteristics of his model is the identification of Christian antiquity with apostolicity. Antiquity, for Leo, is the guarantee of apostolicity and its conformity with the apostolic tradition. By standing on antiquity, Leo argued against novelty as heretical. The other characteristic of his model is consensus. By looking to consensus, much that appears vague in Leo's doctrinal formulas, especially in the christological controversy, will be clearer. Against different opposing theologies in the middle of the fifth century, the doctrine of Leo is not an easy compromise, nor simply an accommodation to the situation, nor a mosaic of unrelated elements, but, on the contrary, allows consensus to emerge to be incorporated in his final judgment. Thus, the contribution of this study can be said to be that Leo's ecumenical model is identified and related to the whole of his work. For the first time Leo's definition of apostolic consensus is analyzed and identified.;Leo taught that the message of Christ and the apostolic teaching were preserved in the oneness of the unbroken witness of the historic church. He rejected all innovation which would change the tradition of Christian antiquity. By appeal to consensus, the ecumenical church is united in common belief at all times and in all places. The present study presents Leo's basis for doing theology in a manner which is still effective today.