1. Ante-Nicene Leaders & Literature

2. Apostolic Fathers

3. Apostolic Fathers
“Apostolic Father”: One who had come into contact with apostles
Characteristics of their writings:
Devotional and edificatory
Some were considered inspired
Informal: letters, stories, allegories
Reflect a Hebraic way of thought
Septuagint is primary scriptural authority
Church is healthy and relatively free of corruption

4. Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
No connection to the 12 Apostles
Originated in current document
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

5. 1 Clement
1 Clement – Epistle to the Corinthians written by Clement, 3rd bishop of
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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 2nd-century 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

12. 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”

13. 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

14. Papias (c )
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

15. Second Century Apologists & Polemicists

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Athenagoras (2nd 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

21. Irenaeus (c )
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

22. 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”

23. 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

24. 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)

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Hippolytus (c )
The most important Roman writer of the 3rd century
Condemned Callistus, bishop of Rome , 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

30. 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

31. Tertullian (c )
Raised a pagan in Carthage; well-educated 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

32. 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

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

34. 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

35. Ante-Nicene Leaders & Literature