Structure of Christianity in the Roman Republic

Suppose for the moment that the Roman Republic is still traditionally Republican in character when Christianity arises (suppose also, of course, that Christianity arises in a somewhat recognizable form, at least theologically speaking). We know that the early church borrowed much from the organizational structure of the Roman empire and this only increased as the church gained more legitimacy in the legal see her. So if the environment in which the church arose was more Republican in character, how might the structure of the church very from how it was organized historically?

Would the church still be as hierarchical as it was historically? Or might we see a variety of independent or interdependent synods? Might the structure resemble several of the modern Protestant churches in its character? Would this have much of an effect on the theological teachings of the church (not to presuppose what those teachings might be, but that they might be influenced by the organizational structure of the church)?

Finally, presupposing that the Roman civilization still falls in some form, how might a potentially more Republican in character church mesh with likely warlordism following the fall of the civilization? Regardless of how an alternate dark ages play out, the political structure is likely to be tribal and monarchical in nature, I would assume.

(By the way, this entire post was composed by voice in my car. So if there are any awkward homonyms in this post blame Siri not me)
 
There would still be a episcopal hierarchy. There would still be ecumenical councils. Really the only thing that would change is that without a sole emperor, there is no Constantine to smash Christians together and enforce a single dogma. Instead, there would be more "splinter" churches like the Monophysites. So besides a Chalcedonian Church, different regions might be dominated by an Arian Church or some other obscure dispute on christology. Certain heresies like Gnosticism are still likely to be eliminated from the Christian mainstream.

The end result might be a body of churches with very similar doctrines, but disputes on obscure christological issues not based on the teachings of Jesus, but the nature of Jesus.
 
Church subdivisions would not (probably) be "dioceses", a large church wouldn't be a "basilica".

Actually, a Republic COULD officially convert, but it would be a harder process. (Iceland really is a special case - possibly the only nation that converted to Christianity by a democratic process.)
 
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