Parallel for “the Trail of Blood by J.M Carroll…
Summary: In Chapter 4, Carroll delves into the nature and history of the various independent churches that existed during the so-called “Dark Ages.” He emphasizes that, despite the overwhelming influence of the Roman Catholic Church, there were numerous Christian groups who maintained a doctrinal purity that Carroll argues was consistent with the early apostolic church. These groups, according to Carroll, were the true continuance of the faith and resisted the corruption introduced by the Catholic Church.
Carroll asserts that these churches, though often persecuted, continued to exist in various parts of Europe, especially in areas outside the direct control of Rome. The chapter focuses on the existence of these churches, their unwavering commitment to believer’s baptism, and their refusal to accept Catholic doctrines such as infant baptism and ecclesiastical hierarchy.
Key Points:
- Churches of the “Dark Ages” – Carroll uses the term “Dark Ages” to describe the period after the fall of the Roman Empire, a time when many of the independent Christian churches were subjected to severe persecution by the Roman Catholic Church. He argues that while the Catholic Church was gaining political and religious power, these other churches continued to practice what they believed to be the true faith, holding fast to their Biblical doctrines.
- The Persecution of Independent Churches – The chapter highlights that many of these churches were constantly persecuted throughout the “Dark Ages.” They were often seen as heretical by the Catholic Church because of their refusal to conform to Catholic dogma, especially on matters such as baptism, church government, and the nature of salvation. Carroll stresses that these independent churches were not affiliated with the Catholic Church and were often forced to go underground or relocate to avoid persecution.
- Examples of Independent Churches – Carroll mentions several of the key groups who resisted Catholicism and maintained what he claims were apostolic beliefs. These include the Donatists, Paulicians, Waldenses, Albigenses, and Lollards, among others. Each of these groups, according to Carroll, rejected infant baptism and practiced believer’s baptism by immersion. They also maintained congregational governance rather than hierarchical church structures, which Carroll believes was a mark of their adherence to the original apostolic practices.
- Theological Consistency with Baptist Beliefs – Carroll emphasizes that despite the many names and variations of these groups, they shared the same core theological beliefs that modern Baptists hold today. He points out that these churches practiced adult baptism (believer’s baptism) and rejected the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, which they viewed as an apostate institution.
- Historical Evidence of the Independent Churches – While these groups often went by different names in different regions, Carroll argues that there is ample historical evidence of their existence and their persecution. He asserts that these churches were the true continuance of the faith of the Apostles, even though their existence was sometimes denied or obscured by Catholic historians.
- Separation from Catholicism – A central theme in the chapter is the argument that these churches were separate from Catholicism, not only in practice but in their very origins. Carroll challenges the Catholic claim that all Christian churches ultimately descended from the apostolic church, asserting that the Catholic Church’s doctrines were innovations that departed from Biblical truth.
Direct Quote: Carroll writes, “There were Christian churches, which existed during the so-called ‘Dark Ages,’ that were not connected to Rome, and they were the true continuance of the apostolic faith. They were not identified with the Roman Church, but with the New Testament Church.” (Carroll, The Trail of Blood).
Analysis: Chapter 4 builds upon the previous chapter’s argument that there was a continuous line of independent, persecuted churches that maintained the apostolic faith through the “Dark Ages.” Carroll’s contention is that these churches were not innovations of the Catholic Church but were the true spiritual descendants of the early Christian communities, particularly those in the New Testament.
The emphasis on believer’s baptism and the rejection of infant baptism continues to be a central theme for Carroll. He uses these doctrinal differences to make the case that the groups mentioned were in continuity with the teachings of the Apostles. The idea that these groups were persecuted by the Catholic Church is not only a historical point but also a theological one: it serves to prove that they were true to the apostolic faith because they were at odds with the Roman Catholic Church, which Carroll believes had become corrupt.
Additionally, Carroll stresses that despite the Catholic Church’s efforts to suppress these independent churches, their beliefs and practices persisted in secret, even though they were often vilified. This, for Carroll, is evidence of the validity of their claims to hold to the original faith and traditions established by Christ and the Apostles.
Proper Citation: Carroll, James M. The Trail of Blood. [Publisher], [Year].
Conclusion: In Chapter 4, Carroll furthers his argument about the continuity of Baptist beliefs through history. He presents the “Dark Ages” as a time of intense persecution for groups who held to what he believes were the true doctrines of the early church, particularly in regard to baptism, church government, and the rejection of Catholic dogma. The chapter serves to reinforce the central claim that modern Baptists are the rightful spiritual heirs of the original apostolic church.