The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (95-150)

2002-09-20

Church Fathers: Early Church Leaders

  1. Apostolic fathers 95-150
  2. Ante-Nicean fathers 150-325
  3. Post-Nicean fathers 325-451

I. General characteristics of their writings

Apostolic fathers are known to us through their writings. Sometimes we know little about the men.

Informal and simple in their writings, express piety and holiness. Modeled after NT writing. Edify the saints. Great reverence for the OT. OT points to Christ. Pictures of Jesus who was yet to come, but then they went overboard sometimes. Typology: pictures of Jesus in OT. Excessive often.

II. Specific types of writings

Epistles

Clement of Rome: Early example. He wrote to the Corinthians. Earliest writing after the NT. A.D. 93-97. Not sure if Clement actually wrote it. Probably him because it was Rome, and he was leader there at the time. Uprising against elders in Corinth. Clement beseeches them to be submissive to their leaders. Shows high position of bishops at the end of the first century. 2nd epistle??? Maybe a written sermon.

Ignatius of Antioch: Know little about him. Syrian Antioch, he was a bishop there. Was a martyr. He wrote some letters as a prisoner along the way to Rome. (maybe about 7 letters). He was eager to die for Christ. He warned about heresies: especially a form of gnosticism, i.e., Jesus did not have a human body. He emphasized being subject to the bishop.

Polycarp lived from 70-155: Early bishop from a church in Asia Minor, disciple of Apostle John. Martyred in 155. One letter: to Philippians. Written about 110. Most of it is a string of quotations. Strengthening believers lives.

Epistle of Barnabas: Not written by Barnabas (pseudo-Barnabas). Written in 2nd century. Try to convince Christians that Jewish law did not bind them anymore.

Papias: Interpretations of the Sayings of the Lord. Wanted to inform Christians what he learned from the Apostles. Strongly Millennial. Origin of Gospel writings. Mark got info from Peter. Matthew originally written in Hebrew.

Apocalyptic literature

The Shepherd, by Hermas: Patterned after Revelation. Calling sinners to repentance.

Catechetical Literature. Teaching literature.

The Didache: Manuel of church instruction.

III. Dangerous tendencies in these writings

Legalism: Clement: Through love sins are forgiven. Shepherd: Do more than God commands. Polycarp: alms have power to release from death. Barnabas: work with hands to get ransom for sins.

Importance of Baptism: a means of being forgiven.

Importance of the Lord’s Supper: Ignatius: the breaking of bread is the medicine of immortality. Didache: post communion prayer, eternal life through communion.

Human leadership: Clement of Rome: elders for unity of church more than the Holy Spirit. Ignatius: bishop is a type of Christ and/or apostles. They administer the baptism and community. One bishop is higher than regular elders.