Apostolic Church FathersApostolic Church FathersThe Church from 100-325ADThe Church from 100-325AD

A Guided OverviewA Guided Overview

REVISION SPECIALREVISION SPECIAL

OverviewOverview Christian HistoryChristian History Overview of Period (100A.D. – 325 A.D.) Overview of Period (100A.D. – 325 A.D.)

From Apostolic age to ConstantineFrom Apostolic age to Constantine Age of the MartyrsAge of the Martyrs Also called the Ante-Nicene periodAlso called the Ante-Nicene period

Apostolic FathersApostolic Fathers Polycarp Polycarp IgnatiusIgnatius

Persecution of the ChurchPersecution of the Church The blood of the martyrs The blood of the martyrs seed of the church seed of the church

Lessons for todayLessons for today

Church HistoryChurch History Christian faith is rooted in historyChristian faith is rooted in history

Resurrection of Christ was preached as an historical eventResurrection of Christ was preached as an historical event Story of Jesus, his disciples, the apostolic fathers, and the Story of Jesus, his disciples, the apostolic fathers, and the

rest of the early church is recorded in many documentsrest of the early church is recorded in many documents New Testament literatureNew Testament literature Literature of the apostolic fathersLiterature of the apostolic fathers Writings of Roman historiansWritings of Roman historians Writings of Church fathers (after Constantine)Writings of Church fathers (after Constantine)

History tells us how doctrine was formed, how History tells us how doctrine was formed, how heresies were combated, and demonstrates the heresies were combated, and demonstrates the incredible faith of the early churchincredible faith of the early church

Nothing is new – many things which we face have Nothing is new – many things which we face have been faced beforebeen faced before

Timeline 100 – 300 A.D.Timeline 100 – 300 A.D.100 A.D. 200 A.D. 300 A.D.150 A.D. 250 A.D.

Trajan Hadrian Marcus Aurelius Decius GallusValerian

Ignatius Justin

Polycarp

TertullianOrigen

Cyprian St. Anthony

Local Persecutions

Tolerance

Intense Persecution

Christian Persecution

Diocletian

Spread of the GospelSpread of the Gospel

Spread of the GospelSpread of the Gospel

Churches in 100 A.D.

Spread of the GospelSpread of the Gospel

Churches in 200 A.D.

Spread of the GospelSpread of the Gospel

Churches in 300 A.D.

Early Church LeadersEarly Church Leaders Ignatius Ignatius (~55 A.D. – 115 A.D.) - Bishop of Antioch(~55 A.D. – 115 A.D.) - Bishop of Antioch

Possibly a disciple of one JohnPossibly a disciple of one John Polycarp Polycarp (~70-156A.D.) - Bishop of Smyrna(~70-156A.D.) - Bishop of Smyrna

Disciple of JohnDisciple of John Justin Martyr Justin Martyr (~150 A.D.) – Philosopher; First of the apologists (~150 A.D.) – Philosopher; First of the apologists

Wrote Wrote ApologyApology to the Emperor Antonius Pius to the Emperor Antonius Pius Irenaeus Irenaeus (~177 A.D.) - Bishop of Lyons(~177 A.D.) - Bishop of Lyons

Disciple of PolycarpDisciple of Polycarp Wrote Wrote Against Heresies Against Heresies to combat Gnosticismto combat Gnosticism

Tertullian Tertullian (~196 A.D.) – powerful thinker, philosopher in Carthage; (~196 A.D.) – powerful thinker, philosopher in Carthage; helped formalize the Trinityhelped formalize the Trinity

Origen (185A.D. – 254 A.D.) - perhaps the greatest scholar of early churchOrigen (185A.D. – 254 A.D.) - perhaps the greatest scholar of early church Cyprian Cyprian (~250A.D.) - wrote (~250A.D.) - wrote The Unity of the ChurchThe Unity of the Church St. AnthonySt. Anthony (~270) – started monastic living (~270) – started monastic living

Early Church LeadersEarly Church Leaders

IgnatiusIgnatius Bishop of Antioch (Syria) Bishop of Antioch (Syria) Possibly was a disciple of JohnPossibly was a disciple of John Martyred in Rome in ~115A.D. under the Emperor TrajanMartyred in Rome in ~115A.D. under the Emperor Trajan Wrote 7 letters during his trip from Antioch to Rome to Wrote 7 letters during his trip from Antioch to Rome to

churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna and to Polycarpand Smyrna and to Polycarp

Strongly argued that each congregation needed a bishop to Strongly argued that each congregation needed a bishop to maintain correct doctrine and prevent splitsmaintain correct doctrine and prevent splits

Fought Docetism (The belief that Christ was a spirit being and Fought Docetism (The belief that Christ was a spirit being and only appeared to be a man.)only appeared to be a man.) Emphasized the Eucharist since it stressed the reality of Christ’s Emphasized the Eucharist since it stressed the reality of Christ’s

humanityhumanity Welcomed his sacrifice for ChristWelcomed his sacrifice for Christ

IgnatiusIgnatius

Emperor Trajan visited Antioch in 115 A.D. and Emperor Trajan visited Antioch in 115 A.D. and heard about the Christians there and their Bishop heard about the Christians there and their Bishop Ignatius.Ignatius.

Trajan decided that he wanted to meet him.Trajan decided that he wanted to meet him. Trajan: “There you are, wicked devil, deceiver of men!’Trajan: “There you are, wicked devil, deceiver of men!’ Ignatius: “Not an ‘evil spirit’, but I have Jesus Christ in my heart.”Ignatius: “Not an ‘evil spirit’, but I have Jesus Christ in my heart.” Trajan: “Jesus Christ within you? Do you mean him who was Trajan: “Jesus Christ within you? Do you mean him who was

crucified by Pontius Pilate?”crucified by Pontius Pilate?” Ignatius: “Yes, he was crucified for my sins”Ignatius: “Yes, he was crucified for my sins”

The Emperor immediately sentenced him to be The Emperor immediately sentenced him to be transferred to Rome and to be thrown to the wild transferred to Rome and to be thrown to the wild beasts.beasts.

Ignatius – Trip to RomeIgnatius – Trip to Rome

Known routeConjectured route

Ignatius was arrested in Antioch where he was bishop

He was martyred in Rome

Typical Leadership Structure

Bishop

Presbyter Presbyter

Deacons Deacons Deacons

PolycarpPolycarp ~70A.D. - ~156 A.D.~70A.D. - ~156 A.D. Disciple of the Apostle JohnDisciple of the Apostle John Bishop of SmyrnaBishop of Smyrna Martyred in SmyrnaMartyred in Smyrna His letter to Philippians has His letter to Philippians has

been preservedbeen preserved Story of his martyrdom Story of his martyrdom

preserved in “The preserved in “The Martyrdom of Polycarp” Martyrdom of Polycarp” written by Smyrnaean church written by Smyrnaean church

Burned at the stake for Burned at the stake for refusing to worship Caesar refusing to worship Caesar and deny Christand deny Christ

PolycarpPolycarp

Letter to the PhilippiansLetter to the Philippians Quoted freely from the gospels, Paul’s epistles, and I Peter.Quoted freely from the gospels, Paul’s epistles, and I Peter.

While officially the New Testament was not canonized, certain While officially the New Testament was not canonized, certain writings were recognized as authentic and authoritative.writings were recognized as authentic and authoritative.

Not particularly scholarly or original, but held fast to the Not particularly scholarly or original, but held fast to the teachings of the apostles.teachings of the apostles.

Also fought with Marcion over Docetism and Also fought with Marcion over Docetism and Gnosticism.Gnosticism.

Contemporary and friend of Ignatius Contemporary and friend of Ignatius Visited with him on his trip to Rome for execution.Visited with him on his trip to Rome for execution.

SmyrnaSmyrna

Ruins of Marketplace in Smyrna

• Church established in Smyrna from early time.• Bishops succeeded Polycarp until 20th century. •Maintained strong Christian presence despite Moslem invasions until 1922.• Turks destroyed Christian quarter in 1922 and massacred all Christians. Last bishop crucified.• Now part of Turkey

PersecutionPersecution Romans were typically tolerant of foreign religionsRomans were typically tolerant of foreign religions

However, there was no ‘right’ to religionHowever, there was no ‘right’ to religion Government reserved the right to persecute religious practiceGovernment reserved the right to persecute religious practice

State religion was way of assuring allegiance to StateState religion was way of assuring allegiance to State Judaism was legal religion which provided some protection for Judaism was legal religion which provided some protection for

Christians during early yearsChristians during early years Fall of Jerusalem put permanent rift between Jews and Fall of Jerusalem put permanent rift between Jews and

ChristiansChristians Romans began to see Christian was its own religionRomans began to see Christian was its own religion

For first 300 years Christians could be legally persecuted for For first 300 years Christians could be legally persecuted for their beliefstheir beliefs

General, severe persecutions were sporadic but local General, severe persecutions were sporadic but local persecution was common and always a possibilitypersecution was common and always a possibility

Reasons for Roman PersecutionReasons for Roman Persecution Popular opinion was against ChristiansPopular opinion was against Christians

Separated themselves from immorality and idolatrySeparated themselves from immorality and idolatry This particularly angered those who prospered from idolatryThis particularly angered those who prospered from idolatry

Refused to worship Roman GodsRefused to worship Roman Gods Had no idols or temples Had no idols or temples brought charge of atheism brought charge of atheism

Claimed to have absolute religion in pluralistic societyClaimed to have absolute religion in pluralistic society Somewhat secretive – breeds suspicionSomewhat secretive – breeds suspicion

Accused of many ludicrous fabricationsAccused of many ludicrous fabrications Blamed for earthquakes, floods, etc.Blamed for earthquakes, floods, etc. Tertullian – “We have a reputation for living aloof from crowds”Tertullian – “We have a reputation for living aloof from crowds”

Government saw them as somewhat dangerousGovernment saw them as somewhat dangerous Refused to worship Caesar – questionable loyaltyRefused to worship Caesar – questionable loyalty Threat to state religion and thus unity of empireThreat to state religion and thus unity of empire Unified group that proclaimed their own king (Christ)Unified group that proclaimed their own king (Christ) ProselytizedProselytized

PersecutionPersecution• Laws permitted persecution of Christians but didn’t demand it.• Christians weren’t sought, but could be charged.• They would be released by simply denying Christ or sacrificing to the Emperor.• Persecution was typically restricted to local inflammations. • There were occasional intense outbreaks due to certain emperors.

• Nero being the first

When put to death, Christians were often subjected to incredible cruelty including:

• Thrown to lions• Burned at stake• Used as torches

• Beheaded• Tortured • Crucified

PersecutionsPersecutions• Nero (64 A.D.) blamed Christians for fire which destroyed large part of Rome. First severe persecution. • Domitian (81-96) second emperor to intensify persecution.• Trajan (99-117) intensified persecution in an attempt to stamp out secret associations.• Hadrian (117 – 138) briefly intensified persecution of Christians when Jews revolted and were subsequently slaughtered• Decius (249-251) made the thorough repression of Christianity a key part of his reign. Had Origen tortured and imprisoned leading to his death.• Valerian (243-260) initially spared Christians but eventually led an attempt to execute or banish all bishops (incl Cyprian).• Diocletian (303-311) resumed general persecution

Roman Coliseum

Lessons for TodayLessons for Today Early Christians could have avoided persecution by Early Christians could have avoided persecution by

simply incorporating pagan worship (e.g., worshiping simply incorporating pagan worship (e.g., worshiping Caesar) into Christian practiceCaesar) into Christian practice However, they didn’t. Unlike the society around them, However, they didn’t. Unlike the society around them,

they believed in truth and were prepared to defend it with they believed in truth and were prepared to defend it with their lives.their lives.

Greek philosophy had eroded confidence in Gods which Greek philosophy had eroded confidence in Gods which led to religious pluralism.led to religious pluralism.

Today Christians are in an analogous situationToday Christians are in an analogous situation We are pressured by society to accept religious pluralism We are pressured by society to accept religious pluralism We are seen as foolish and narrow-minded to think we We are seen as foolish and narrow-minded to think we

have the truthhave the truth Society has tacitly excepted religious pluralismSociety has tacitly excepted religious pluralism We must be willing to stand up for truth in the face of We must be willing to stand up for truth in the face of

more benign adversity.more benign adversity.

Lessons for TodayLessons for Today

While there were rumours that Christians did While there were rumours that Christians did immoral things, educated people in the Ante-immoral things, educated people in the Ante-Nicean period understood that Christians stood Nicean period understood that Christians stood out for their moralityout for their morality Pliny the Younger – Christians “bound themselves Pliny the Younger – Christians “bound themselves

by a solemn oath not to commit any wicked deed, by a solemn oath not to commit any wicked deed, but to abstain from all fraud, theft and adultery, but to abstain from all fraud, theft and adultery, never to break their word, or deny a trust when never to break their word, or deny a trust when called upon to honor it.”called upon to honor it.”

Do we stand out in our society today ?Do we stand out in our society today ?

ReferencesReferences K.S. Latourette, K.S. Latourette, A History of ChristianityA History of Christianity, Prince Press 1975, Prince Press 1975 B.L. Shelley, B.L. Shelley, Church History in Plain LanguageChurch History in Plain Language, Nelson 1995., Nelson 1995. H.C. Sheldon, H.C. Sheldon, History of the Christian ChurchHistory of the Christian Church, Hendrickson Publishers , Hendrickson Publishers

1994.1994. C.P.S. Clarke, C.P.S. Clarke, St. Ignatius and St. PolycarpSt. Ignatius and St. Polycarp, Church History Publishing , Church History Publishing

2001.2001. H. Von Campenhausen, H. Von Campenhausen, The Fathers of the ChurchThe Fathers of the Church, Hendrickson , Hendrickson

Publishers 1998.Publishers 1998. T. Dowley Ed., T. Dowley Ed., Erdman’s Handbook to The History of ChristianityErdman’s Handbook to The History of Christianity, W.B. , W.B.

Erdmans Publishing Co. 1977.Erdmans Publishing Co. 1977. E.E. Cairns, E.E. Cairns, Christianity Through the AgesChristianity Through the Ages, 3, 3rdrd Ed., Zondervan Publishing Ed., Zondervan Publishing

1996.1996. A.K. Curtis, J.S. Lang, and R. Peterson, A.K. Curtis, J.S. Lang, and R. Peterson, The 100 Most Important Events in The 100 Most Important Events in

Christian History, Christian History, Fleming H. Revell 1991. Fleming H. Revell 1991. S.M. Houghton, S.M. Houghton, Sketches from Church HistorySketches from Church History, Banner of Truth 1980., Banner of Truth 1980.