Lecture 2: The Apostolic Fathers

Question 1

What comes to mind when you hear the term Apostolic fathers?

Answer 1

1. The first generation of Believers after the apostles passed.
2. people who look to the apostles their mentors as it were
3. all the way up to say Augustine. We might think are the apostolic fathers

Question 2

What is the scene as we begin the time of the apostolic fathers?

Answer 2

1. Jesus had ascended into glory.
2. The spirit had been poured out at pentecost
3. The apostles took the gospel to the ends of the earth in Rome.
4. The apostles had died.
5. The temple had been destroyed.
6. Christianity could no longer rely on the apostles.
7. Questions were raised about authority, tradition, church government, theology
8. Doctrinal confusion and political persecution caused problems.
9. People were confused how to best live the faith
10. Biblical canon has not been gathered and agreed upon

Question 3

Who were The Apostolic Fathers in general?

Answer 3

1. a group of writers and writings that arose from roughly around ad 70 up to about 150 or so.
2. Many are anonymous
3. As fights arise it crystallizes doctrine.
4. They are fathers but many ways, their spiritual babes
5. The best way to get to know them is to read them themselves.

Question 4

How does J.B. Lightfoot describe the apostolic fathers in “The Apostolic Fathers?”

Answer 4

1. Not great writers, but great characters
2. They have the fervor of Christian devotion and personal responsibility
3. They aren’t very organized, have no systems, and aren’t literary geniuses
4. Their character is the noblest testimony to the influence of the gospel on them.
5. 6. “The apostolic fathers. It has been justly said, Are not great writers, but great characters. Their style is loose; there is a want of arrangement in their topics and an absence of system in their teaching. There is a breath of moral sympathy and earnest sense of personal responsibility, a fervor of Christian devotion, which are the noblest testimony to the influence of the Gospel on characters obviously very diverse and will always command for their writings a respect wholly disproportionate to their literary merits. The gentleness and serenity of Clement whose whole spirit is absorbed in contemplating, the harmonies of Nature and Grace; the fiery Zeal of Ignatius in whom the one overmastering mastering desire of martyrdom has crushed all human passion; the Unbroken constancy of polycarp, who’s protracted life is spent in maintaining the faith once delivered to the Saints, these are the lessons which can never become Antiquated or lose their value.”

Question 5

What does Michael Kruger say the apostolic fathers provided for us in his book, “Christianity at the Crossroads?”

Answer 5

1. Michael Kruger, Christianity at the Crossroads
2. “The Apostolic Fathers provide unparalleled access to Christianity in its earliest, developmental stages, allowing us to see what issues Christians faced, what theological topics concerned them, and how they interacted with one another”

Question 6

What do we know about Papias?

1. When did he live?
2. What position did he hold?
3. Who did he know?
4. What was his most famous work?
5. Name 3 other interesting points about his work/beliefs

Answer 6

1. (c. 70–c. 130):
2. Bishop of Hieropolis in Asia
3. Most well known for writing a five volume work titled -“Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord”
4. Irenaeus reports that Papias knew the Apostle John and that he was a contemporary of Polycarp.
5. Believed in a literal future Millennial, reign of Christ. He was an early premillennialists
6. Reminds us of the importance of oral tradition for the development of Christianity.
7. In his writings, he references Matthew and Mark and John and revelation.
8. Believes two separate accounts of Judus. He tells how maybe Judas not only hung himself, but later than, you know, choked on his own vomit

Question 7

What do we know about Clement of Rome?

1. When was he born?
2. What did he write and what do we know about those works?

Answer 7

1. Bishop of Rome
2. Wrote 1 Clement (c. 95)
3. Probably not 2 Clement
4. Mentioned in Phillipians as Paul’s co-worker

Question 8

What is this from, what does it say about grace, and what does it remind us of from the Bible?

“The church of God that sojourns in Rome to the church of God that sojourns in
Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ: May grace and peace from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be yours in abundance”

Answer 8

1. 1 Clement salutation
2. Reminiscent of Paul’s greetings in his own letters.
3. God’s Unmerited favor is a good theological defiinition of grace
4. You also see a similar idea, not as clear in the book of Hebrews as well. And there have been some who have even said that. Clement may have written the book of Hebrews, which I’m not convinced by but you could argue it.

Question 9

What prompted the writing of 1 Clement and what does it discuss?

Answer 9

1. The elders of the congregation in Corinth had been deposed in a church revolt.
2. First Clement. Argues that the Takeover, the congregation was entirely wrong because it was motivated by pride and greed.
3. He said they should be restored.
4. Ecclesiastical order God. Commissioned, Christ Christ, commissioned the apostles, the apostles, commissioned Bishops or elders. And these Bishops commission deacons.
5. Advocates of Episcopal Church government argue that first Clement is evidence of a very early natural evolution of episcopalism.
6. The fact that Clement himself was Bishop of Rome is also used by Advocates of papal Supremacy to support their Theory by suggesting that he wrote with the authority of Peter.

Question 10

What is this from and what is it’s most endearing quality?

“We write these things, dear friends, not only to admonish you but also to remind ourselves. For we are in the same arena. And the same contest awaits us again. Therefore let us abandon empty and futile thoughts and let us conform the Glorious and holy rule of our tradition indeed let us know what is good and what is pleasing and what is acceptable in the sight of the one who made us and let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ and understand how precious it is to his father. Because being poured out for our Salvation, it won for the whole world the grace of repentance. For Christ is with those who are humble, not with those who exalt themselves over his flock. The Majestic scepter of God our Lord Jesus Christ did not come with pomp of arrogance or Pride (though he could have done so), but in humility, just as the Holy Spirit, spoke concerning him This is the way dear friends in which we found our salvation, namely Jesus Christ, the high priest of our offerings, the benefactor and helper of our weakness. Through him we look steadily into the heights of Heaven; through him we see as in a mirror his faultless and Transcendent face; through him the eyes of our hearts have been opened; through him are our foolish and darkened mind spring up into light; through him the master has willed that we should taste Immortal knowledge, for he being the radiance of his majesty is as much Superior to angels, as the name he has, inherited is more excellent.”

Answer 10

1. 1 Clement
2. It’s description of Christ
3. It’s an early demonstration of the centrality of the sacrificial work of Christ.

Question 11

What was the purpose of 2 Clement, when was it written, and by whom?

Answer 11

1. c. 96
2. Not actually a letter, nor probably by Clement
3. It is a word of exhortation possibly preached by one of the Corinthian Elders who were restored to office following Clement’s first letter.
4. the oldest surviving letter outside the New Testament.
5. Has to do with a call to repentance and to believe in the resurrection of Jesus ‘We ought to think of Jesus Christ, as we do of God. As judge of the living and the dead. As we ought not to belittle, the one who is our Salvation”

Question 12

What is this from, what does it reveal, and what is unique about it historically?

“He [Jesus] means this: it is necessary to save those who are perishing. For it is a great and marvelous thing to support not those things that are standing but those who are falling. So also Christ willed to save what are perishing, and he saved many when he came and called us who were already perishing” (2:5–7).

Answer 12

1. 2 Clement 2:5-7
2. Contains the earliest example outside the New Testament of an explicit passage from the New Testament being referred to as scripture alongside the Old Testament. Mark 2:17 or Matt 9:13
3. It reveals that there is a clear in early understanding of the New Testament gospels as binding on the people of God

Question 13

Who was Ignatius of Antioch, what did he write, and how did he die?

(c. 35–c. 110)

Answer 13

1. Bishop of Antioch in Syria
2. Ignatius and other Christians were arrested and sent to Rome in order to be thrown to wild beasts in the arena.
3. On the road he wrote 7 letters to the places he passes en route

Question 14

What were 3 main reasons for Ignatius of Antioch’s letters?

Answer 14

1. Wants the churches to be unified under their respective Bishops
2. False Teaching
   
   1. Docetism (Grk. dokeō)
      b. Marcion (c.85-c. 160)
      c. Judaizers
3. That he longs for martydom

Question 15

What is Docetism?

Answer 15

1. Docetism is Greek and means “to appear”
2. They deny that Christ had come in the flesh
3. Jesus was entirely divine and only appeared to be human

Question 16

Who was Marcion and what did he teach? What did Ignatius say about it?

Answer 16

1. He taught that the good savior of the new testament is different from the bad ogre god of the Old Testament
2. He said Jesus couldn’t assume the flesh because those things are evil and only appears to be so.
3. Ignatius’s entire motivation for martyrdom for dying is based on his belief that Jesus assumed human flesh. Ignatius says if that is the case. I die for no reason

Question 17

What did Judaizers teach and what did Ignatius say about it?

Answer 17

1. Taught that Christians must abide by Jewish customs
2. Especially circumcision and obedience to Mosaic law
3. Ignatius says, “if we continue to live in accordance with Judaism, we admit that we have not received Grace. For the most Godly prophets lived in accordance with Jesus Christ.”

Question 18

What was Ignatius of Antioch’s feelings about martyrdom?

Answer 18

1. He longs for marydom
2. If Jesus is not who he says, why would I want to die for him
3. He also acted as though he truly wanted to do so because it perhaps would make him like him.
4. “I am writing to all the churches and am insisting to everyone that I die for God of my own free will—unless you hinder me. I implore you: do not be unseasonably kind to me. Let me be food for the wild beasts, through whom I can reach God I am God’s wheat, and I am being ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, so that I may prove to be pure bread. . . . Bear with me—I know what is best for me. Now at last I am beginning
   to be a disciple. May nothing visible or invisible envy me, so that I may reach Jesus Christ. Fire and cross and battles with wild beasts, mutilation, mangling, wrenching of bones, the hacking of limbs, the crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil

Question 19

What did Polycarp of Smyrna write and who did he study under?

Answer 19

1. The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians (c. 110)
2. The Martyrdom of Polycarp (c. 155–160)
3. Disciple of the Apostle, John and probably the most well-known of the apostolic fathers

Question 20

Why did Polycarp write “The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians?”

(c. 110)

Answer 20

1. Letter to the Philippians written a few weeks after Ingatius’ death
2. One of their Elders, named Valens embezzled money from the church.
3. There was also a problem with false teaching which is almost entirely Docetism.
   
   1. “For everyone who does not confess. Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is Antichrist and whoever does not acknowledge the testimony of the Cross, is of the devil.”

Question 21

What was “The Martyrdom of Polycarp” about and what famous quote of Polycarp’s is included? (c. 155–160)

Answer 21

1. Anonymous eyewitness account of events leading to Polycarp’s execution
2. Roman officials tried to persuade Polycarp to recant and to say, Caesar is Lord.
3. Polycarp Responded with these well-known words.
   
   1. “For eighty-six years I have been [Christ’s] servant, and he has done me no wrong.
      How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” (9.3)

Question 22

What was The Didache and what did it teach? (c. 100)

Answer 22

1. Didache means teaching
2. It represents the teachings of the apostles.
3. gives us a picture of early church life among Christians
4. essentially a manual for how to do Church.
5. Explains two ways to live.
   
   1. It begins with these words. “These are the two ways, one of life, and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.”
6. Begins with a moral section on the Ten Commandments and The Sermon on the Mount
7. It deals with a section on ecclesiastical practice and worship and then it ends with a section on apocalyptic beliefs

Chap. XVI. (the last chapter)
1. Watch over your life; let not your lamps be quenched and let not your loins be unloosed, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour in
which our Lord comes.
2. But be ye frequently gathered together, seeking the things that are profitable for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not
profit you except in the last season ye be found perfect.
3. For in the last days the false prophets and destroyers shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be
turned into hate.
4. For when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute, and deliver up one another; and then shall appear the world-deceiver as
Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall commit iniquities which have never
yet come to pass from the beginning of the world.
5. And then shall the race of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be offended and shall perish; but they who endure in their faith
shall be saved from under the curse itself.
6. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first the sign of opening in heaven; then the sign of the voice of the trumpet; and the third,
the resurrection of the dead.
7. Not, however, of all, but as was said, “The Lord shall come, and all the saints with him.”

Question 23

What was unique about The Shepherd of Hermas?

(c. 70–135)

Answer 23

1. The most bizarre of the apostolic fathers
2. trying to deal with the pastoral problem of whether someone can receive forgiveness after baptism
3. He has visions of seeing a naked woman and what to do with his lust.

Question 24

What do we know about the Letter to Diognetus?

(c. 150)

Answer 24

1. Tweedale thinks that this may be the most “protestant” letter of the Apostolic Fathers
2. Defends Christianity against paganism to a gentile community. (apologetic)
3. Found in the 1400’s and supposedly the story goes it had been used to wrap fish
4. Anonymous work addressed to the most excellent diognetus.
5. Thought to be a tutor to Emperor Marcu Aurelius who had questions about God.
6. What distinguishes Christians from pagans is their understanding of the way God Saves sinners.

Question 25

What is this from?

“But when our unrighteousness was fulfilled, and it had been made perfectly clear that its wages—punishment and death—were to be expected, then the season arrived during which God had decided to reveal at last his goodness and power (oh, the surpassing kindness and love of God!). He did not hate us, or reject us, or bear a grudge against us; instead he was patient and forbearing; in his mercy he took upon himself our sins; he himself gave up his own Son as a ransom for us, the holy one for the lawless, the guiltless for the guilty, the
just for the unjust, the incorruptible for the corruptible, the immortal for the mortal. For what else but his righteousness could have covered our sins? In whom was it possible for us, the lawless and ungodly, to be justified, except in the Son of God alone? O the sweet exchange, O the incomprehensible work of God, O the unexpected blessings, that the sinfulness of many should be hidden in one righteous person, while the righteousness of one should justify many sinners!” (9.2–5)

Answer 25

1. Letter to Diognetus (c. 150)
2. Luthor could have written this…meaning it was his style/doctrine

Question 26

Letter of Barnabas (c. 70–135)

Answer 26

1. Seeks to defend Christianity against Judaism
2. Anonymous but often thought to be written by Paul’s companion
3. Discusses how the promises of the old testament relate to the work of Jesus Christ
4. Basically, it’s trying to ask the question.
   
   1. How do the Patriarch’s promises and Prophecies of the Old Testament find fulfillment in Jesus Christ?
5. It’s an apologetic to the Jews.