AnteNicene Leaders Literature Apostolic Fathers Apostolic Fathers Apostolic

Ante-Nicene Leaders & Literature

Apostolic Fathers

Apostolic Fathers • “Apostolic Father”: One who had come into contact with apostles • Characteristics of their writings: ØDevotional and edificatory ØSome were considered inspired ØInformal: letters, stories, allegories ØReflect a Hebraic way of thought ØSeptuagint is primary scriptural authority ØChurch is healthy and relatively free of corruption

Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles • No connection to the 12 Apostles • Originated in Syria @70; current document redacted @120 • Manual of moral instruction and church order • Opens with discourse on “Two Ways, ” which functioned as catechesis • Sections on baptism, fasting and prayer, the “Eucharist, ” and apostles and prophets

1 Clement • 1 Clement – Epistle to the Corinthians written by Clement, 3 rd bishop of Rome @96 • Written to correct dissensions; used illustrations from OT and the martyrdoms of Peter & Paul; pleaded for unity and discipline • In 170, 1 Clement was read in Corinthian churches alongside Scriptures

2 Clement • Incorrectly attributed to Clement; not an epistle • Homily – earliest extant Christian sermon • Probably originated in Corinth and attached to 1 Clement in transcription • Discusses Christian’s moral combat

Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35 -107) Theophóros “bearer of God” Theóphoros “borne by God” Matt. 18: 2 -4

Ignatius of Antioch • Other speculation suggests that he was a pagan persecutor of Christians before he was converted • He was the 2 nd bishop of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch • Ignatius was arrested in Antioch under Trajan’s policy (possibly betrayed, possibly volunteered) • He was transported to Rome for execution • En route, he wrote seven letters: five to churches in Asia Minor; one to Rome; and one to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna • These letters were highly esteemed and widely quoted in the early church • He probably died in the colosseum in Rome

Ignatius of Antioch • Discussed church organization in Antioch at turn of the second century • Stressed obedience to the bishop, who was safeguard of Christian unity against heretics, especially Judaizers and Docetics • “Do nothing without the bishop” – baptism, Eucharist, marriage • Early sacramentalism in baptism & Eucharist

Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 70 -156) • According to Irenaeus, Polycarp may have studied under John the Apostle • He was a link between the apostolic age and the 2 ndcentury apologists • Epistle to Philippians – probably two letters • Chapters 13 -14: cover letter with collection of Ignatian letters (c. 110) • Chapters 1 -12: written 20 years later to denounce Marcion (c. 130) • Composed almost entirely of direct and indirect references to Scripture

Epistle of Barnabas • Pseudonymous letter; probably originated in Alexandria • Hostile to Judaism • Insists that Christians, not Jews, are the true people of God • Also includes discourse about the “Two Ways”

Shepherd of Hermas • Apocalypse with series of revelations given to the author, first by old woman, second by an angel disguised as shepherd • Also religious allegory • Purpose: to preach repentance; to teach that a Christian who commits serious sin after baptism has only one chance to be restored through penitence • Hermas was brother of Pius, bishop of Rome c. 140 -150.

Papias (c. 60 -130) • According to Irenaeus, Papias was a companion of Polycarp and John (Apostle or Elder) • He wrote “Expositions of the Oracles of the Lord” • Only quotations in Irenaeus & Eusebius survive • Papias: Mark became interpreter of Peter and set down everything he remembered of the words and actions of the Lord • Matthew composed “the oracles” in Hebrew, and everyone translated them as best he could

Second Century Apologists & Polemicists

Justin Martyr (c. 100 -165) • Born to pagan parents in Samaria • Searched through philosophies – Stoicism, Aristotelianism, Platonism – before becoming a Christian • Established school in Rome • Foremost apologist of his day: Apology 1 & 2; Dialogue with Trypho • Addressed his apologetic writings to emperor & senate

Justin Martyr • 1 st Apology: refutes accusations raised against Christians; presents and justifies Christianity; describes worship, baptism, Eucharist • 2 nd Apology: shorter postscript to first • Dialogue with Trypho: records Justin’s twoday conversation with a learned Jew; sole example of an apology directed at Jews to present Jesus as fulfillment of Law

Justin Martyr • First Christian thinker to seek reconciliation between faith & reason • Claimed that traces of truth were found in pagan philosophies, although only Christianity contained the truly rational creed • Utilized Greek concept of Logos to bridge the gap: the reason why Logos became incarnate was to teach humanity truth and to redeem humans from Satan’s power

Tatian • Student of Justin Martyr, Apologist • Address to the Greeks denounced Greek philosophy; praised primitive roots of Christianity • Diatessaron: compilation of four Gospels • After Justin’s martyrdom, Tatian returned to Syria and founded a Gnostic sect, the Encratites, who were extremely ascetic

Athenagoras (2 nd century) • Philosopher & apologist of Athens • Supplication for the Christians: rebuts charges of atheism, orgies, & incest • On the Resurrection • First to elaborate a philosophical defense of doctrine of Trinity

Irenaeus (c. 130 -200) • Native of Smyrna; sat under Polycarp (apostolic link: John. Polycarp-Irenaeus) • Moved to Gaul; became bishop of Lyons c. 178 • Against Heresies (180) attacked Gnosticism and formulated foundational principles of Christian theology • Proof of the Preaching Apostolic summarizes Christian beliefs & doctrines

Irenaeus • Emphasized God’s purpose to draw humanity into unity with him through divinization (sanctification) • God progressively unfolded his purpose from Old Testament to Incarnation • Recapitulation: Jesus redeemed humanity by assuming each stage of life, including old age (Jesus died at age 50) • Irenaeus was first great theologian; “Father of Church Dogmatics”

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 -215) • Born to pagan parents in Athens; converted as young man; sought Christian teacher; settled at Alexandrian Catechetical School under Pantaenus; became instructor in 190 • Persecution under Septimius Severus forced him to flee in 202; wandered the eastern Mediterranean area; died c. 215

Clement of Alexandria • Exhortation to the Greeks (Protrepticus): intended to convert the reader • The Instructor (Paedagogus): taught the Christian way of life • The Miscellanies (Stromata): a collection of diverse materials describing the ideal of a complete Christian, perfect in all spiritual knowledge (gnosis)

Clement of Alexandria • Interpreted Scripture allegorically; taught that maturity comes with understanding parabolic sense • His extreme allegorizing led to highly abstract “elitist theology” • Synthesized Christian thought and Greek philosophy • Justin synthesized to call pagans to Christianity; Clement, to show Christians truth in philosophy • Paved the way for the church to accept the relationship of faith and reason

Origen (c. 185 -254) • Born to Christian parents in Alexandria • Father Leonidas was Christian teacher, martyred during reign of Septimius Severus • Studied under Clement and, when Clement fled, took his place at age 18 • He literally interpreted Matt. 19: 12 • Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, excommunicated Origen, and he settled in Caesarea • He died during the Decian persecution, 254

Origen • He advocated a triple interpretation of Scripture: • Literal – dealt with the earthly, carnal, Jewish sense • Moral – dealt with religious matters of life • Allegorical – related to heavenly life and the world to come

Origen • Prolific writer of up to 2, 000 works; only a fraction survive • Hexapla: six versions of OT in parallel • First Principles: first systematic theology • Against Celsus: apologetic work • Discourse with Heraclides: defense of Trinity • Exhortation to Martyrdom & On Prayer • Commentaries & Homilies

Hippolytus (c. 170 -235) • The most important Roman writer of the 3 rd century • Condemned Callistus, bishop of Rome 217 -22, over doctrine & discipline; became rival bishop (first anti-pope) • Continued to attack bishops Urban (222 -30) & Pontianus (230 -5) • Reconciled to Pontianus after both were exiled to Sardinia together • Died in exile 235

Hippolytus • Refutation of All Heresies: An important source of information about Gnosticism & Montanism • Apostolic Traditions: An important source of information about liturgical practices of early church

Tertullian (c. 160 -225) • Raised a pagan in Carthage; welleducated in law, literature, and rhetoric • Converted c. 195 in Rome; became first Latin theologian, apologist, and polemicist • “Father of Latin Theology” • Later became adherent of Montanism, a reforming sect, known for rigorism

Tertullian • Over 30 treatises survive • Apologetics: To the Nations; Apology; To Scapula • Polemics: Prescription of the Heretics; Against Praxeus; Against Marcion • Catholic works: On Baptism; On Prayer; On Patience; On Penitence • Montanists works: On Modesty; On Fasting; On Monogamy; On Flight from Persecution

Tertullian • Formulated two concepts fundamental to Christian doctrine: Ø Trinitarian formula – “one substance, three persons” Ø Christological formula – “one person, two natures”

Cyprian (d. 258) • Pagan rhetorician in Carthage; converted c. 246; two years later, elected bishop • Fled Decian persecution (249); continued to lead the church from exile • After return, he dealt with question of the lapsed and the related issue of rebaptism raised by Novatianist schism • Died as martyr under Valerian’s persecution, 258

Ante-Nicene Leaders & Literature