Age of Catholic Christianity I AD The Apostolic Fathers

Catholic?

Types of Church Fathers 1.Apostolic Fathers (c ) 2.Apologists (c. 140–200) 3.Polemicists (c. 180–225) 4.Scientific Theologians (c. 225–460) 1.Apostolic Fathers (c ) 2.Apologists (c. 140–200) 3.Polemicists (c. 180–225) 4.Scientific Theologians (c. 225–460)

The Apostolic Fathers Took over after the apostles in founding the early churchTook over after the apostles in founding the early church Most of their early lives are unknown as only the Christian life was important to themMost of their early lives are unknown as only the Christian life was important to them Usually direct disciples of the apostlesUsually direct disciples of the apostles Stayed primarily in the locale in which they grew as ChristiansStayed primarily in the locale in which they grew as Christians Were godly men of good repute (1 Tim 3)Were godly men of good repute (1 Tim 3)

The Bishop? The early church bishop was different from the modern concept of bishopThe early church bishop was different from the modern concept of bishop No clear definition has lead to much disputeNo clear definition has lead to much dispute In short they ran the local church in a semi-authoritarian mannerIn short they ran the local church in a semi-authoritarian manner

Clement of Rome

Little is known of his early life, but he was well educated particularly in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament)Little is known of his early life, but he was well educated particularly in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) Became “the” or at least one of the bishop(s) of RomeBecame “the” or at least one of the bishop(s) of Rome Is considered the 4 th pope in the Roman Catholic ChurchIs considered the 4 th pope in the Roman Catholic Church Wrote the nearly Canonical I ClementWrote the nearly Canonical I Clement Was probably martyred but the manner in which it occurred is unclearWas probably martyred but the manner in which it occurred is unclear Little is known of his early life, but he was well educated particularly in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament)Little is known of his early life, but he was well educated particularly in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) Became “the” or at least one of the bishop(s) of RomeBecame “the” or at least one of the bishop(s) of Rome Is considered the 4 th pope in the Roman Catholic ChurchIs considered the 4 th pope in the Roman Catholic Church Wrote the nearly Canonical I ClementWrote the nearly Canonical I Clement Was probably martyred but the manner in which it occurred is unclearWas probably martyred but the manner in which it occurred is unclear

Clement of Rome I Clement –Cease rebelling –Come under elders authority –Exhortation to love, penitence and humility –Apostolic succession –Desire for unity in the church –Talks of Peter and Paul's martyrdom I Clement –Cease rebelling –Come under elders authority –Exhortation to love, penitence and humility –Apostolic succession –Desire for unity in the church –Talks of Peter and Paul's martyrdom

Clement of Rome II Clement –Was attributed to Clement, but later discovered to come from a different source –Scripture Quotations! –Not modern bible teaching II Clement –Was attributed to Clement, but later discovered to come from a different source –Scripture Quotations! –Not modern bible teaching

Ignatius of Antioch Only seen at the end of his lifeOnly seen at the end of his life Was one of the earliest if not the leader of the church in AntiochWas one of the earliest if not the leader of the church in Antioch Arrested and taken to Rome to be martyred for ChristArrested and taken to Rome to be martyred for Christ Wrote 7 letters while traveling to RomeWrote 7 letters while traveling to Rome Martyred c. 110AD Martyred c. 110AD Only seen at the end of his lifeOnly seen at the end of his life Was one of the earliest if not the leader of the church in AntiochWas one of the earliest if not the leader of the church in Antioch Arrested and taken to Rome to be martyred for ChristArrested and taken to Rome to be martyred for Christ Wrote 7 letters while traveling to RomeWrote 7 letters while traveling to Rome Martyred c. 110AD Martyred c. 110AD

Ignatius of Antioch EphesusEphesus MagnesiaMagnesia TrallesTralles RomansRomans PhiladelphiansPhiladelphians SmyrneansSmyrneans To PolycarpTo Polycarp EphesusEphesus MagnesiaMagnesia TrallesTralles RomansRomans PhiladelphiansPhiladelphians SmyrneansSmyrneans To PolycarpTo Polycarp His Seven Letters

Ignatius of Antioch Struggle against false teachersStruggle against false teachers His impending deathHis impending death Unity/Structure of the churchUnity/Structure of the church Obedience to BishopsObedience to Bishops –Ignatius caused great controversy because of the pro-hierarchical views and the Episcopal supremacy found in his letters Struggle against false teachersStruggle against false teachers His impending deathHis impending death Unity/Structure of the churchUnity/Structure of the church Obedience to BishopsObedience to Bishops –Ignatius caused great controversy because of the pro-hierarchical views and the Episcopal supremacy found in his letters Key Foci of His Writings

PolycarpPolycarp Bishop of SmyrnaBishop of Smyrna Disciple of John the ApostleDisciple of John the Apostle Wrote a letter to the Philippian ChurchWrote a letter to the Philippian Church Was simple, loving, humble and pastoralWas simple, loving, humble and pastoral Martyred Feb. 22, c.155ADMartyred Feb. 22, c.155AD Bishop of SmyrnaBishop of Smyrna Disciple of John the ApostleDisciple of John the Apostle Wrote a letter to the Philippian ChurchWrote a letter to the Philippian Church Was simple, loving, humble and pastoralWas simple, loving, humble and pastoral Martyred Feb. 22, c.155ADMartyred Feb. 22, c.155AD

Didache (The Teaching) “The Teaching of the Apostles”“The Teaching of the Apostles” 2 Parts2 Parts –The “Two Ways” Life v. Death –Manual of church order and practice BaptismBaptism The EucharistThe Eucharist PrayerPrayer Discerning of False TeachersDiscerning of False Teachers “The Teaching of the Apostles”“The Teaching of the Apostles” 2 Parts2 Parts –The “Two Ways” Life v. Death –Manual of church order and practice BaptismBaptism The EucharistThe Eucharist PrayerPrayer Discerning of False TeachersDiscerning of False Teachers