1. The Church in the Second and Third Centuries Part 2: Anti-Nicene Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria)

2. L4: Anti-Nicene Fathers Part 2: Anti-Nicene Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria) Introduction Eastern Christian Schools (of the 2nd&3rd Centuries) 2nd & 3rd Centuries Deans & Fathers of the Theological School of Alexandria Athenagoras Clement of Alexandria Origen St. Peter the Seal of martyrs

3. Introduction 1)What is meant by the Anti-Nicene? 2)The Anti-Nicene Fathers http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html 3) What is meant by “School”?

4. Eastern Christian Schools (of the 2 nd and 3 rd Centuries) 1)School of Alexandria Oldest (around 65 AD) by St. MarkOldest (around 65 AD) by St. Mark Clement and OrigenClement and Origen Allegorical (symbolic) methodAllegorical (symbolic) method 2) School of Caesarea (in Palestine) 232 AD by Origen232 AD by Origen The Cappadocia FathersThe Cappadocia Fathers 3)School of Antioch End 2 nd / begin 3 rd C.by Lucian of Samosata (Syria)End 2 nd / begin 3 rd C.by Lucian of Samosata (Syria) Exegetical (literal interpretation) methodExegetical (literal interpretation) method Students: John Chrysostom, Nestorius (heretic)Students: John Chrysostom, Nestorius (heretic)

5. 2 nd & 3 rd Centuries Deans & Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria) 1.Athenagoras (2 nd Century) 1 st Dean of the School of Alexandria1 st Dean of the School of Alexandria Converted to Christianity in 176 ADConverted to Christianity in 176 AD Two main works remained:Two main works remained: + A Plea for the Christians - The doctrine of the One God (vs. Polytheism) - The doctrine of the One God (vs. Polytheism) - The doctrine of the Holy Trinity - The doctrine of the Holy Trinity + The Resurrection of the Dead - Resurrection is not impossible - Resurrection is not impossible - He Could Create, Can Also Raise Up the Dead - He Could Create, Can Also Raise Up the Dead - Resurrection-Body is different from the present - Resurrection-Body is different from the present

6. “Cont’d” 2 nd & 3 rd Centuries Deans & Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria) 2. Clement of Alexandria (2 nd / 3 rd Century) 3 rd Dean of the School of Alexandria3 rd Dean of the School of Alexandria Has remaining works but his main work is:Has remaining works but his main work is: + The Instructor - Practical instructions on the Christian conduct - Practical instructions on the Christian conduct - In it, he wrote: - In it, he wrote: “The greatest of all lessons is to know one’s self. For if one knows himself, he will know God”

7. “Cont’d” 2 nd & 3 rd Centuries Deans & Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria) 3. Origen (2 nd / 3 rd Century) 4 th Dean of the School of Alexandria4 th Dean of the School of Alexandria Has about 6000 manuscriptsHas about 6000 manuscripts He was described as:He was described as: + Prince of the Bible Interpreters + Prince of the Bible Interpreters + Prince of Christian Philosophy + Prince of Christian Philosophy + Teacher of bishops + Teacher of bishops + No human mind can absorb what he wrote + No human mind can absorb what he wrote Though he was all of the above and may be more, he had some theological mistakesThough he was all of the above and may be more, he had some theological mistakes

8. “Cont’d” 2 nd & 3 rd Centuries Deans & Fathers (of the Theological School of Alexandria) 4. St. Peter the seal of martyrs (3 rd Century) 9 th Dean of the School of Alexandria9 th Dean of the School of Alexandria 17 th Pope of Alexandria17 th Pope of Alexandria He was described as:He was described as: + the divine bishop + the divine bishop + the excellent doctor of the Christian religion + the excellent doctor of the Christian religion + the Seal of martyrs (Diocletian's era) + the Seal of martyrs (Diocletian's era) The main work is the “Canonical Epistle”:The main work is the “Canonical Epistle”: + disciplines related to Penitence + disciplines related to Penitence