Beginning with the conversion of Constantine in 312 and the establishment of the Christian Empire, the book continues through the Middle Ages up to the publication of Gratian's Decretum, the great, systematic book of Church law which transformed the idea of tradition into legal concepts. Throughout this period the hierarchy was called upon to deal with such fundamental questions as the nature of tradition and the extent of its authority, the infallibility of the pope, and the proper role of the laity in defining dogma.Originally published in 1969.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.