In reading some of the lives/legends of Saints in the “Dark” ages and through the 15th century and beyond, I gradually came to appreciate the chaos of Europe and the whole Mediterranean after the break up of Rome. Penguin publishes a terrific historical atlas presenting clearly the constant bloody ebb and flow.
So, while I think the loss of the Papal States was one of the best things that ever happened, I can understand, if I squinch up my eyes, how a Pope would have thought some kind of civil rule was necessary.
In 20/20 hindsight the Pope would have done well in that situation to have politely but insistently refused it, instead offering to give advice to this now-believing emperor (in consultation with the wisest leaders of his church) as to how to bring the situation under control. Heavy gospel preaching should have been very close to the top of the agenda. But not dual-tasking the clergy with supervising goats in addition to sheep. THAT was asking for dilution of the church and vitiation of its effectiveness.
Still... we are not here to pan the Roman Catholic institution for bygones. We DO believe in a God who forgives without great folderol, requiring simple repentance (stopping the sin and acknowledging the need for help, which is an essential before the Lord) WITHOUT some kind of works penance or “living it down” first, don’t we, as good Crazy Evangelicals?? Let’s live that out in our own advice if God has filled us.
We do believe God has used us to show His favor? Well then show like favor by being as kind as God was kind to us. Kindness doesn’t excuse, but it has great patience and tact.