The Apostolic Fathers, the Apologists, and Centers of Early Christianity (ca. 90-250)

Apostolic Fathers, Apologists, Centers What were the concerns of the apostolic fathers? What were some of the criticisms made against Christians? How did they respond? How can we compare/contrast the major centers of the early Church?

The Historical Context Rome during 2nd Century Empire at its zenith Constant frontier warfare “Good Emperors”

The Historical Context

The Historical Context Third-Century Anarchy (235-285) Empire on brink of destruction Multiple emperors! War! Poor economy Natural disasters Capture of Valerian (r. 253-260) by Persians

The Apostolic Fathers The Apostolic Fathers (ca. 50-150) Had access to apostles and/or apostles’ first disciples Apostolic fathers and/or their writings: Clement of Rome Didache Ignatius of Antioch Polycarp of Smyrna Papias of Hierapolis Epistle of Barnabas Shepherd of Hermas Sometimes found in NT canons!

The Apostolic Fathers Emerging Tripartite Ecclesiastical Hierarchy Bishops Presbyters Deacons

The Apostolic Fathers Clement of Rome (Presbyter-) Bishop of Rome (r. ca. 88-97) 1 Clement (ca. 96) Letter of Roman church to Corinthian church Drew heavily on OT Cited pagan examples Phoenix Roman army Trinitarian formulas

The Apostolic Fathers Didache Origins in late 1st/early 2nd centuries, possibly Egypt Provides liturgical instructions Baptism Fasting and prayer Eucharist and communal meals Provides manual of discipline How to distinguish false prophet Ministry of bishops, deacons Preparation for the end of the world

The Apostolic Fathers Ignatius of Antioch († ca. 110) Bishop of Antioch Dubbed “God-inspired” Arrested  Rome

The Apostolic Fathers

The Apostolic Fathers Ignatius’s Writings 7 Letters Themes addressed False doctrines threatening unity Christology Episcopal authority “Catholic” Church Do not interfere in martyrdom!

The Apostolic Fathers Polycarp of Smyrna (ca. 70-156) Bishop of Smyrna Disciple of John Executed at age 86 Epistle to the Philippians Offered pastoral advice Demonstrated knowledge of NT Opposed heresy

The Apostolic Fathers Papias of Hierapolis (ca. 70-155) Bishop of Hierapolis Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord 5 books  fragments survive! Collected, reported on apostolic recollections of Christ’s teachings Provides insight into Gospels of Mark, Matthew

The Apostolic Fathers Epistle of Barnabas Ascribed to Barnabas of NT Alexandrian origins (ca. 135) Explores relationship between OT and NT Jews got it all wrong! Christians are heirs of God’s covenant! OT points to Christ Jews err by interpreting Law “literally” rather than “figuratively”

The Apostolic Fathers Shepherd of Hermas Hermas (1st/2nd cents.): prophet of the Roman church Shepherd Concern: what to do about post-baptismal sins, those who apostasized due to persecution? Structure 5 visions: exhortation to penance and steadfastness in face of persecution 12 commandments: summary of duties of Christians 10 parables: bring together teachings of visions and commandments

The Apostolic Fathers Questions?

The Apologists The Apologists Apologia: defense of one’s opinions Apologists “defended” Christian faith against early critics Their Context Apostles now long gone Romans suspicious of Christianity To Jews: “heresy!” Persecution

The Apologists Rumors about Christians Atheism! Incest! Cannibalism! Worship a “crucified ass”! Worship sexual organs of their priests! Graffiti in Rome

The Apologists Celsus Early pagan critic of Christianity Second-century figure in Syria/Palestine Wrote The True Word (ca. 180)

The Apologists Celsus’s Criticisms Jesus (AC I, 28, 32) Son of a poor Jewish adulteress and Pantera Poor servant in Egypt, learned magic there Back to Palestine  magic Lied about his virgin birth Made himself out to be a god Christianity (AC III, 44) For the foolish, unlearned, ignorant They gain over the weak-minded

The Apologists Celsus’s Criticisms Incarnation (AC IV, 14) Immortal, unchangeable God cannot become mortal, changeable Resurrection of the body (AC V, 18) Ridiculous!

The Apologists Objectives of the Apologists Draft petitions for toleration and justice Refute false rumors Respond to criticisms Demonstrate “antiquity” of Christianity How to dialogue with pagans? Convince and convert

The Apologists Justin (ca. 100-165) From Palestine Originally pagan intellectual Converted to “true philosophy” “The Philosopher” Teacher in Rome Executed

The Apologists Justin the Apologist I Apology 2 Apology Dialogue with Trypho the Jew

The Apologists Justin and Pagan Philosophy Begin with Logos Rational principle of universe Pre-existent Christ of John All knowledge is product of Logos Philosophers who had lived reasonably can be called “Christians” But knew Logos only partially; knew only fragments of “truth” Now Logos known entirely by Christians Plato knew, used prophets of OT

The Apologists Dialogue with Trypho Trypho is representative of Jewish criticisms of Christianity Who can really keep the Gospels’ teachings?! You all claim to be so great and pious! No Sabbath?! No festivals?! No circumcision?! Your hope is in a CRUCIFIED man!! Justin’s response “Types” and “figures” of Christ Messianic prophecies

The Apologists Questions?

Centers of Early Christianity

Centers of Early Christianity Alexandria, Egypt Founded by Alexander the Great (331 BC) 2nd city of Roman Empire Cosmopolitan Commercial center Numerous attractions

Centers of Early Christianity Religion in Alexandria Many religions! Syncretism Christianity brought by Mark? Mark the Evangelist

Centers of Early Christianity St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice

Centers of Early Christianity Clement of Alexandria (ca. 215) Teacher, exegete (ca. 180) Goals Provide “deeper” knowledge Urge pagans to consider Christianity Position on philosophy Given to lead Greeks to Christ Poets, thinkers were like Israel’s prophets

Centers of Early Christianity Origen (184-254) Teacher in Alexandria Founded new school of higher studies  celebrity! Prolific writer! Bible scholar Allegorical/spiritual interpretations Hexapla

Centers of Early Christianity

Centers of Early Christianity Origen the Heretic? Subordination of Son to Father Eternal world Pre-existence, reincarnation of souls Salvation of Devil

Centers of Early Christianity Antioch, Syria 3rd city of Roman Empire Numerous attractions Not an intellectual center

Centers of Early Christianity Christianity in Antioch Brought during apostolic times Disciples first called “Christians” there (Acts 11:26) Early episcopate Center of eastern Christianity after fall of Jerusalem

Centers of Early Christianity North Africa Had been center of Carthaginian Empire Major city: Carthage Center for exports Christianity Origins unclear Center of Latin Christian thought Carthage

Centers of Early Christianity Tertullian (ca. 150-229) Probably lawyer Rigorous moralist  Montanist (ca. 207) First major Latin-Christian writer Apologetics Heresy Moral issues

Centers of Early Christianity Tertullian’s Thought Opposition to philosophy Source of heresy! “What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? What between heretics and Christians?...Away with all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition!” (Prescription against Heretics, chapter 7) Trinitarian thought Trinitas Father, Son, Holy Spirit share one substance (substantia), although three persons (personae)

Centers of Early Christianity Cyprian of Carthage (d. 258) Convert Rhetorician Bishop of Carthage (r. 248/9-258)

Centers of Early Christianity Cyprian’s Thought: The Episcopate Center of ecclesiastical unity Through apostolic succession, all bishops share apostolic authority “Federated episcopacy” Each bishop should govern diocese autonomously Should listed to other bishops, obey councils Bishop of Rome enjoys “priority” among bishops, no jurisdiction beyond his see

Centers of Early Christianity Rome Capital Economic and intellectual center Many attractions

Centers of Early Christianity The Forum

Centers of Early Christianity The Markets of Trajan

Centers of Early Christianity Christianity in Rome Brought during apostolic times Associated with Peter and Paul Ruled by collegial presbyters, or 1 bishop?

Centers of Early Christianity Questions?

Apostolic Fathers, Apologists, Centers What were the concerns of the apostolic fathers? What were some of the criticisms made against Christians? How did they respond? How can we compare/contrast the major centers of the early Church?

Primary Source Ignatius’s Epistle to the Ephesians What was the occasion of his writing to Ephesian Christians? What was the point of the letter? What can we glean from this document about Ignatius’s Christology? What do we know about his ecclesiology, and understanding of the role of the bishop?

Primary Source Justin’s First Apology To whom was it written? What was the goal? What is the tone of the document? How did Justin aim to refute criticisms against Christians? How did he argue for Christianity’s antiquity and veracity?