Upon This Rock The Popes and Their Changing Roles

This book is written for students of Church History and Scholars who need a refresher in the area of the role of the Pope throughout history. Paul Collins takes the reader from the foundation of the office of the Pope in the biblical texts to an explaination of what Pope John Paul II has done in his time governing the Catholic Church. As a Catholic convert from fundamental Protestantism and an apologist I found this text very helpful in reaffirming a visible, universal church authority as opposed to a local induvidual authority. For a less serious scholar or one specifically seeking arguments for the leadership of the Church from scripture and history I would suggest the book of the same name by Stephen Ray published by Ignatius Press.