DOCSLIB.ORG

The Apostolic Fathers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Apostolic Fathers The Apostolic Fathers I. Introduction II. Historical context III. Christian literary context IV. The individual writings V. Doctrinal and historical content 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 1 The Apostolic Fathers I. Introduction What do we mean by "the Apostolic Fathers"? Which writings are in the collection known as "The Apostolic Fathers"? From what sources have we received "the Apostolic Fathers"? 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 2 The Apostolic Fathers I. Introduction A. What do we mean by "the Apostolic Fathers"? • "The Apostolic Fathers" is a collection of Greek-written Christian writings from the late first century and early 2nd century. • "Apostolic" means that they were written by men who were in immediate historical proximity to the Apostles and carried on the Apostolic work as the Apostles died. • "Fathers" means that the writers were Christian leaders who were revered by the early Christian communities as bearing witness to the authentic Christian message. • Many of these Fathers were “canonized” in martyrdom — St. Clement of Rome, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Polycarp of Smyrna, St. Barnabas, St. Papias of Hierapolis , … 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 3 The Apostolic Fathers I. Introduction B. Which writings are in the collection known as "The Apostolic Fathers"? The Didache = The Teaching (of the Twelve Apostles) The First Epistle of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians The Second Epistle of Clement of Rome The seven Epistles of St. Ignatius of Antioch: to the Ephesians to the Magnesians to the Trallians to the Romans to the Philadelphians to the Smyrnaeans to Polycarp The Epistle of Polycarp of Smyrna to the Philippians The Martyrdom of Polycarp The Epistle of Barnabas The "Shepherd" of Hermas The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus The Fragments of Quadratus 25-Jan-2012 The Fragments of PapiasThe Apostolic Fathers 4 The Apostolic Fathers I. Introduction C. From what sources have we received "the Apostolic Fathers"? 1. From Greek manuscripts • The most complete copy is the Codex Hierosolymitanus (11 th century) • Others include Michigan Papyrus 192 (2nd cent.), Codex Vaticanus (4th cent.), Bodmer Papyrus 38 (4th/5th cent.), Codex Alexandrinus (5th cent.) • Some of the Greek texts are appended to the end of some of the manuscripts of the New Testament, e.g. the Codex Sinaiticus (4 th century). 2. From early translations • Latin translations from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. • Syriac translations from the 12th century • Coptic translations from the 4th and 7th centuries • Armenian translations • Arabic translations 3. From citations in other ancient writings • Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century) • Clement of Alexandria (2nd-3rd century) • Origen of Alexandria (2nd-3rd century) • Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century) 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 5 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers A. The Roman Empire B. Transmission of information in Greco-Roman times C. The revolutionary Christian kerygma D. A struggling transition for emerging Christianity 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 6 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers A. The Roman Empire: The Apostolic Fathers wrote in the era of the Roman Empire of 70-150 A.D. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 7 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers A. The Roman Empire: The Roman Empire was prosperous, global, pagan, multi-cultured, and mostly tolerant. • Hellenistic culture : Greek language, art, literature, learning (mathematics, science, rhetoric, medicine, politics, …). The cultural centers were Athens & Alexandria. • Pax Romana – Peace was enforced across the Empire by Roman legions, managed by Roman governors and puppet kings, with a widely dispersed civil administration and postal service. Roman law and order! • Roman civil engineering -- roads, bridges, aqueducts, sewers, harbors, lighthouses, public basilicae, stadia, amphitheaters, ... • A state religion of formal public emperor-worship. (Emperor = divi filius ) • A plethora of philosophies and “private” cultic religions (materialistic, hedonistic, moralistic, intellectualistic, idealistic, mystical, ...) • The Jewish diaspora had scattered Jews across the empire. Synagogues everywhere. Tolerated by the Roman government as “ancient”. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 8 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers B. Transmission of information during Imperial times: • The primary method of transmitting information was oral. • Only the well-to-do were educated enough to read and write. • Writings were very limited – expensive to produce, not easily copied or disseminated, and quickly perishable. • Public proclamations and works of literature were written onto papyrus or parchment and then “declaimed” in public readings. • Business inventories and ledgers were written onto wooden tablets. • Works of literature and science were stored in public or private libraries. • Judaism disseminated to the synagogues treasured scrolls of the Scriptures. • For Jews and Christians, oral "tradition" (the community's "memory") was considered more reliable and more complete than written documents. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 9 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers C. The revolutionary Christian kerygma burst into the Greco- Roman Empire: • The revelation and ministry of Jesus the Messiah • The resurrection and divinity of Jesus • God's outreach to sinners and to the "lost sheep" • Metanoia , faith, and the Kingdom of God • The law of love • The redemptive power of the Messiah's crucifixion and resurrection. • The infusion and guidance of the Holy Spirit • Evangelization by Apostles and traveling missionaries • Establishment of local churches with local leadership • Gentile converts to Christianity • Gradual beginnings of Christian writings . 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 10 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers D. A struggling transitional era for emerging Christianity: 1. The umbilical cord of infant Christianity was still firmly connected to Judaism. 2. The writings of "the New Testament" were very recent, were still being copied and disseminated, and came to be revered as Sacred Scripture, but the exact "canon" had not yet been established. 3. The last of the Twelve Apostles and the kerygmatic itinerant missionaries were now of advanced age and were dying; their leadership was vanishing. 4. New structures were emerging for local church leadership, together with a unifying sense of the global Christian community. 5. Increasing numbers of non-Jews were coming into the Church — so many that the Church was becoming predominantly Gentile in membership. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 11 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers D. A struggling transitional era for emerging Christianity: 6. Gentile converts to Christianity had to learn and accept the fundamentals of the Jewish moral code. 7. The "Judaizers" tried to turn the Jewish Christians back to traditional Judaism, sometimes with intimidation or force. The rift between Christian Jews and non-Christian Jews was becoming wider and deeper, even to the point of hostilities. 8. Conflict was growing with Rome over the "son of God". Roman emperors expected token allegiance to their imperial authority as that of a "son of a god ( divi filius )". Christians allegiance to Jesus as the true "Son of God" seemed to be a seditionist superstition. With the great fire in Rome in 64 A.D., Nero introduced an era of imperial hostility and persecutions against Christians. (Hitherto the Romans had paid little attention to Christianity.) 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 12 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers D. A struggling transitional era for emerging Christianity: 9. The Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. scattered the Palestinian Jews, including the Palestinian Jewish Christians, across the world. 10. The long-standing attachment to a central "Jerusalem headquarters" was broken, both for Jews and for Christians. 11. Adaptions of Greek-language terminology and of Greek philosophical concepts began increasingly to be used as a model for expressing Christian beliefs and teachings. 12. Because the Christian mysteries went beyond the limits of natural human comprehension, the communities were struggling to "understand" the boundaries around these Christian mysteries: Who was Jesus? Who is the Spirit? How are we "redeemed"? etc. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 13 The Apostolic Fathers II. Historical Context of the Apostolic Fathers D. A struggling transitional era for emerging Christianity: 13. The Christian communities were afflicted with internal problems: a. Lukewarm or half-hearted ( dipsycho i) Christians. b. Struggles to maintain koinoni a (community) and homonoi a (same- mindedness) within the communities. c. Embezzlers in the clergy, and neglect of widows, orphans, and the poor d. Power struggles over leadership of the communities. e. Apostates and defectors. f. Anger, back-biting, and other moral problems. g. Materialistic hedonism h. Nascent heresies (Docetism, Gnosticism, ...) The writings of the Apostolic Fathers came into being against this background. 25-Jan-2012 The Apostolic Fathers 14 The Apostolic Fathers III. The Christian literary context • The Apostolic Fathers in the Christian Tradition • The Apostolic Fathers in the mainstream of Christian writings • The Apostolic Fathers as among many early so- called “Christian” writings,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus by Philip Schaff About ANF01
    ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus by Philip Schaff About ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus by Philip Schaff Title: ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus URL: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.html Author(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: The Ante-Nicene Christian library is meant to comprise translations into English of all the extant works of the Fathers down to the date of the first General Council held at Nice in A.D. 325. The sole provisional exception is that of the more bulky writings of Origen. It is intended at present only to embrace in the scheme the Contra Celsum and the De Principiis of that voluminous author; but the whole of his works will be included should the undertaking prove successful. Publication History: Text edited by Rev. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson and first published in Edinburgh, 1867. Additional introductionary material and notes provided for the American edition by A. Cleveland Coxe 1886. Print Basis: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint 2001 Source: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Rights: Public Domain Date Created: 2002-10 Status: Proof reading, ThML markup and subject index for Version 3.0 by Timothy Lanfear General Comments: Hebrew and Greek were checked against page scans of the 1995 Hendrickson reprint by SLK; errors in the hard copy have not been corrected in this digitized text. Contributor(s): Timothy Lanfear (Markup) CCEL Subjects: All; Early Church; Classic; Proofed; LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity and the World in the Letter to Diognetus: Inferences for Contemporary Ecclesial Experience
    (Phronema 27:1 (2012) 29-50) CHRISTIANITY AND THE WORLD IN THE LETTER TO DIOGNETUS: INFERENCES FOR CONTEMPORARY ECCLESIAL EXPERIENCE Doru Costache Abstract: The author explores chapters five and six of the Letter to Diognetus for a traditional alternative to the problematic attitudes regarding secular society that occur in contemporary Christianity. Thus he reiterates the challenge launched by Marrou more than sixty years ago, which is to infer from the Letter – beyond its immediate import for early Christians – guidelines for the contemporary ecclesial experience. The article addresses the immediate context and character of the text, progressing to an analysis of the two chapters, and ends by highlighting the relevance of this information for contemporary Christianity. The article adds to current Diognetian studies by identifying as yet ignored traces of it in later Christian literature. he variances between Late Antiquity and secular society notwithstanding, the challenges entailed by the Christian experience within the world of today do not differ significantly from those faced by the earliest Christian generations. This is what makes the latters’ perceptions relevant to us and, indeed, their wisdom still inspires solutions for contemporary impasses. One such issue, discussed below, is the possibility of adopting a genuinely T Christian lifestyle within the secular city. Given the contradictory Christian attitudes toward the secular framework, oscillating between its overall rejection and its uncritical acceptance, this possibility seems remote. Such tendencies will not constitute, however, the object of the following analysis. Instead, given that it addressed similar concerns,1 herein I shall explore the Letter ……….30………. to Diognetus, an apologetic tract whose fifth and sixth chapters treat the challenging condition of Christians in society and their divine assignment as contributors to the general wellbeing.
    [Show full text]
  • THE SAINT HUGO HERALD Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time| July 4, 2021
    ! Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 THE SAINT HUGO HERALD Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time| July 4, 2021 THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH! page 3! WELCOME FR. MARK BRAUER! ! ! WEEKLY CALENDAR ! On July 1, 2021, Fr. Mark Brauer became the new page 4! ! pastor of St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Parish and CARILLON SERIES! School. He was ordained to the priesthood on June page 5! 27, 1992, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral by Cardinal ! AOD COVID UPDATE! Maida. He was born in Detroit Michigan and is one page 6! of eight children born to Corinne and Joseph Brauer. ! He is their sixth child, five boys and three girls.! FR. TONY PARISH SOCIAL! page 7! ! ! This assignment is Fr. Brauer’s fourth since ordinaon RETIREMENT | ! more than twentyRnine years ago. Fr. Mark was the MRS. YUGOVICH! page 8! pastor of Our Lady of Sorrow for the past sixteen ! years. Prior to this assignment, he was Pastor of one FR. ESPER AWARDS! of the first clusters in the archdiocese, St. Chrisne page 9! INDEPENDENCE DAY! ! Parish and St. Gemma Parish, both located on the SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 ! CSA | STEWARDSHIP! west side of Detroit. He served the two parishes for Office Closed ! page 10! ten years. Fr. Mark’s first assignment was as an ! 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., ! Associate Pastor of St. Ephrem Parish in Sterling GOSPEL & READINGS! 12:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. ! page 13! Heights. We look forward to having Fr. Mark be part Mass T Church! ! of St. Hugo community. ! WEEKEND MINISTERS! ! page 14! ! MONDAY, JULY 5, 2021 ! MASS INTENTIONS! Office Closed ! page 15! 6:10 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Epistle to Diognetus (Lake)
    THE EPISTLE TO DIOGNETUS Kirsopp Lake, translator 1. Since I perceive, most excellent Diognetus, that you are exceedingly zealous to learn the religion of the Christians and are asking very clear and careful questions concerning them, both who is the God in whom they believe, and how they worship him, so that all disregard the world and despise death, and do not reckon as gods those who are con- sidered to be so by the Greeks, nor keep the superstition of the Jew, and what is love which they have for one another, and why this new race or practice has come to life at this time, and not formerly; I indeed welcome this zeal in you, and I ask from God who bestows on us the power both of speaking and of hearing, that it may be granted to me so to speak that you may benefit so much as possible by your hearing, and to you so to hear that I may not be made sorry for my speech. 2. Come then, clear yourself of all the prejudice which occupies your mind, and throw aside the custom which deceives you, and become as it were a new man from the beginning, as one, as you yourself also admitted, who is about to listen to a new story. Look, not only with your eyes, but also with your intelligence, what substance or form they chance to have whom you call gods and regard as such. Is not one a stone, like that on which we walk, another bronze, no better than the vessels which have been forged for our use, another wood already rotten, another silver, needing a man to guard it against theft, another iron, eaten by rust, another earthenware, not a whit more comely than that which is supplied for the most ordinary service? Are not all these of perish- able material? Were they not forged by iron and fire? Did not the wood-carver make one, the brass-founder another, the silver-smith another, the potter another.
    [Show full text]
  • The Apostolic Fathers
    The Apostolic Fathers Edited and translated by Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers, 3rd ed.: Greek Texts and English Translations, Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2007. Used by permission. Holmes_ApostolicGrk_JE_bb.indd 1 8/28/07 3:44:15 PM Edited and translated by Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers, 3rd ed.: Greek Texts and English Translations, Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2007. Used by permission. Holmes_ApostolicGrk_JE_bb.indd 2 8/28/07 3:44:15 PM The Apostolic Fathers Greek Texts and English Translations 3rd edition edited and translated by Michael W. Holmes after the earlier work of J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer K Edited and translated by Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers, 3rd ed.: Greek Texts and English Translations, Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2007. Used by permission. Holmes_ApostolicGrk_JE_bb.indd 3 8/28/07 3:44:15 PM © 1992, 1999, 2007 by Michael W. Holmes Published by Baker Academic a division of Baker Publishing Group P. O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.bakeracademic.com This edition published 2007 ISBN 10: 0-8010-3468-X ISBN 978-0-8010-3468-8 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress has cataloged the previous edition as follows: Apostolic Fathers (Early Christian collection). English & Greek. The Apostolic Fathers : Greek texts and English translations / edited and re- vised by Michael W.
    [Show full text]
  • The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 22, 2020 Regina Coeli Catholic Church 530 Regina Pkwy., Toledo, Ohio 43612 Bullen Deadline: Parish Contact Informaon: Monday by 4:00pm 419R476R0922 reginacoelitoledo.org Please call in advance for an appointment! Sacraments: Bapsm: Please con- tact the parish office to WELCOME! PastorVFr. Miller: (m) 419R217R0228 or [email protected] schedule an appoint- We are glad DeaconV Dcn. Jim Dudley: [email protected] ment. you have joined us! Office ManagerVEdna MiklosekRBaker: rc3offi[email protected] Confessions: 1/2 hour Finance ManagerVOctavia Wayton: rc3fi[email protected] before every Mass and CustodianVMelissa Swackhamer: [email protected] 1 hour before Saturday evening Mass. CCD DirectorVRose Marie Liberkowski: [email protected] Marriage: Couples should contact the parish Music DirectorVAmy Sujkowski: [email protected] office as they begin to make plans for marriage, Finance CouncilVJenny Malaczewski: [email protected] and certainly before they set a wedding date. Cer- Pastoral CouncilV Dcn. Jim Dudley: [email protected] tain days and/or mes may not be available due PrincipalVHeather Radwanski: [email protected] to other previously scheduled weddings or acvi- es in the church. A minimum of six months is Visit our website! hps://www.reginacoelitoledo.org/ required before a wedding can be scheduled in order to allow me for marriage instrucon clas- Mass liveRstreamed Sundays at 10:30am at ses. www.facebook.com/reginacoeliparish/ Anoinng of the Sick: If you wish to receive the Download the Myparish App in the app store Sacrament of the Sick, please call the Parish and search for 43612! Office or, if more urgent, Fr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lives of the Saints
    Itl 1 i ill 11 11 i 11 i I 'M^iii' I III! II lr|i^ P !| ilP i'l ill ,;''ljjJ!j|i|i !iF^"'""'""'!!!|| i! illlll!lii!liiy^ iiiiiiiiiiHi '^'''liiiiiiiiilii ;ili! liliiillliili ii- :^ I mmm(i. MwMwk: llliil! ""'''"'"'''^'iiiiHiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiii !lj!il!|iilil!i|!i!ll]!; 111 !|!|i!l';;ii! ii!iiiiiiiiiiilllj|||i|jljjjijl I ili!i||liliii!i!il;.ii: i'll III ''''''llllllllilll III "'""llllllll!!lll!lllii!i I i i ,,„, ill 111 ! !!ii! : III iiii CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY l,wj Cornell Unrversity Library BR 1710.B25 1898 V.5 Lives ot the saints. Ili'lll I 3' 1924 026 082 572 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026082572 THE ilibes? of tlje t)atnt0 REV. S. BARING-GOULD SIXTEEN VOLUMES VOLUME THE FIFTH THE ILities of tlje g)amt6 BY THE REV. S. BARING-GOULD, M.A. New Edition in i6 Volumes Revised with Introduction and Additional Lives of English Martyrs, Cornish and Welsh Saints, and a full Index to the Entire Work ILLUSTRATED BY OVER 400 ENGRAVINGS VOLUME THE FIFTH LONDON JOHN C. NFMMO &-• NEW YORK . LONGMANS, GREEN. CO. MDCCCXCVIll / , >1< ^-Hi-^^'^ -^ / :S'^6 <d -^ ^' Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson &> CO. At the Ballantyne Press *- -»5< im CONTENTS PAGE Bernardine . 309 SS. Achilles and comp. 158 Boniface of Tarsus . 191 B. Alcuin 263 Boniface IV., Pope . 345 S. Aldhelm .... 346 Brendan of Clonfert 217 „ Alexander I., Pope .
    [Show full text]
  • New Testament Canon.” the Word “Canon” Is Actually a Greek Word That Means “Rule” Or “Measure.”
    How We Got Our New Testament Greg Stiekes, Pastor, Bethany Bible Church, 2014 Introduction We call the 27 books that comprise our New Testament the “New Testament Canon.” The word “canon” is actually a Greek word that means “rule” or “measure.” For example, the word “canon” is used in Galatians 6:16—“As for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.” In the overall context of the letter to the Galatians, Paul is saying that there is a standard by which he wanted the church to measure up, and whoever was not walking according to that standard was not living out the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice, then, that a canon is a standard that limits or confines. When applied to the New Testament, the word canon means those original, Greek writings which measure up to or meet the standard of being the Word of God. And the canon limits those writings to 27 “books”—no greater, no fewer; 27 books which are believed to comprise the authoritative writings divinely given by God to the church. Yet a 27-book New Testament canon raises several questions which God’s people should be able to answer, especially when skeptics attack the accuracy and authority of the Bible: 1. How do we know that these and these only 27 Greek documents are the writings God gave to the church? 2. Are the present Greek copies of these books accurate? 3. Do we have confident English translations of the original Greek? 4. Why are other early writings rejected from the canon, even though they claim to be from God or his apostles? Question 1: Why these and these only 27 New Testament Books? The Attack: The New Testament canon was formed by the followers of one version of Christianity which dominated in the first centuries A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Learn the Faith • Was Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887 in Italy
    Learn the Faith • Was born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887 in Italy. He was an extremely devout Catholic and made the decision to dedicate his life to Christ at the age of 5. • Reported to have the ability to see guardian angels and speak to Jesus and Mary. • His family was poor and from a young age worked as a shepherd tending a small flock of his family’s sheep. • He entered into the novitiate of the Capuchin friars at the age of 15 and took on the name of “Pio” in honor of Pope Pius I. • At the age of 17 he became ill and was only able to digest milk and cheese. As a result of his poor health he was sent home where he continued to study for the priesthood. • In 1910 he was ordained a priest but was permitted to remain home because of his health. • On September 20, 1916 while hearing confessions he began to feel pain in his feet and hands. Upon investigating this pain he discovered that he had received the stigmata. o Stigmata – describes the spontaneous appearance of the wounds experienced by our crucified Lord. The first reported account of the stigmata occurred on St. Francis of Assisi. • The Church investigated his claim to the stigmata and they concluded that it was not faked. • He opened a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1956 • Died on September 23, 1968 and was recognized as a saint on June 16, 2002. • He is the patron saint of adolescents. Love the Faith Despite St.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Christianity a Religion?
    Exploring the Territories of Science and Religion Peter Harrison University of Queensland New College Lectures, 2014 Friday, 12 September 14 LECTURE 1: IS CHRISTIANITY A RELIGION? 1. Religion in Early Chris2an Literature 2. Religion, Creed, and Belief 3. Religion and the Protestant Reformaon 4. Reasons for Religion Friday, 12 September 14 Friday, 12 September 14 1947 1949 1967 Friday, 12 September 14 LECTURE 1: IS CHRISTIANITY A RELIGION? 1. Religion in Early Chris2an Literature 2. Religion, Creed, and Belief 3. Religion and the Protestant Reformaon 4. Reasons for Religion Friday, 12 September 14 SinCe I see, most exCellent Diognetus, that thou art exCeedingly anxious to understand the religion [theosebeia] of the Chris2ans, and that thy enquiries respeC2ng them are dis2nCtly and Carefully made, as to what God they trust and how they worship [threskeuein] Him…. You wonder, too, why this new race [genos] or way of life [epitedeuma] has appeared on earth now and not earlier. Epistle to Diognetus 1.1 Friday, 12 September 14 SinCe I see, most exCellent Diognetus, that thou art exCeedingly anxious to understand the religion [theosebeia] of the Chris2ans, and that thy enquiries respeC2ng them are dis2nCtly and Carefully made, as to what God they trust and how they worship [threskeuein] Him…. You wonder, too, why this new race [genos] or way of life [epitedeuma] has appeared on earth now and not earlier. Epistle to Diognetus 1.1 theosebeia - godliness, reverence (1) threskeia - worship (4) genos - race, Countrymen, family, kind, naon, nave, desCendent (21) epitedeuma - prac2Ce, oCCupaon, pursuit, training (0) Friday, 12 September 14 SinCe I see, most exCellent Diognetus, that thou art exCeedingly anxious to understand the religion [theosebeia] of the Chris2ans, and that thy enquiries respeC2ng them are dis2nCtly and Carefully made, as to what God they trust and how they worship [threskeuein] Him….
    [Show full text]
  • Pat 101 – Nicene & Post Nicene Fathers
    PAT 101 – NICENE & POST NICENE FATHERS Lecture I What is Patrology? Patrology is derived from Latin word “Pater” which means “Father” Patrology is the science dealing with the life, acts, writings, sayings, doctrines & thoughts of the early fathers. Patrology focuses on ensuring the authenticity of these acts, publishing them and translating them in modern languages. Why Study Patrology? Leads us to a true understanding of Christianity through the works of the early fathers. Reveals to us the circumstances in which the fathers witnessed to Christ. Helps us discover the fathers‟ dogma, doctrines & concepts concerning God, man, church, salvation, eternal life. Etc. Classifications of Patristic Writings Classification by Time Especially first 5 centuries can be classified on Time. First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea) separated fathers into 2 kinds: Ante-Nicene – Simple Literature Nicene & Post Nicene Fathers Classification by Language Greek (Eastern) Fathers Majority of the fathers wrote in Greek. Some also used their national languages such as Coptic, Syrian & Armenian. Latin (Western) Fathers Classification by Place Egyptian Fathers – School of Alexandria & Desert Fathers. Antiochenes Fathers – In Antioch (Turkey) Cappadocian Fathers – In Cappadocia (Asia Minor) Latin Fathers – In Europe Classification by Material Apologetic – defending the faith against critics. Biblico-exegetical – Interpretations/Explanations of the Bible. Homilies & sermons. Letters. Liturgical works. Classification by Material Christian poetry & songs Dialogues Ascetic Writings Church canons Church History Chronological Outline of Patristic Literature The Beginning of Christian Patristic Literature Ante-Nicene Literature after St. Irenaeus. Golden Age of the Eastern Fathers Western Fathers (4th and 5th Centuries) Writings after the Council of Chalcedon Outline of Patristic Literature • Canonical Legislation & liturgical Formulas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Apostolic Fathers : Greek Texts and English Translations / Edited and Re- Vised by Michael W
    © 1992, 1999, 2007 by Michael W. Holmes Published by Baker Academic a division of Baker Publishing Group P. O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.bakeracademic.com Third printing, March 2009 The Apostolic This edition published 2007 ISBN 978-0-8010-3468-8 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval Fathers system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is Greek Texts and English Translations brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress has cataloged the previous edition as follows: Apostolic Fathers (Early Christian collection). English & Greek. 3rd edition The Apostolic Fathers : Greek texts and English translations / edited and re- vised by Michael W. Holmes.—Updated ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. edited and translated by ISBN 10: 0-8010-2225-8 (pbk.) ISBN 978-0-8010-2225-8 (pbk.) 1. Christian literature, Early—Greek authors. I. Holmes, Michael William. Michael W. Holmes II. Title. BR60 .A62 1999 270.1—dc21 99-046353 The Apostolic Fathers: Revised Texts with Short Introductions and English Translations, by J. B. after the earlier work of Lightfoot. Edited and completed by J. R. Harmer. London: Macmillan, 1891. Reprinted as The Apostolic Fathers: Revised Greek Texts with Introductions and English Translations. J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations of Their Writings, 2nd ed., edited and translated by J. B. Lightfoot and J.
    [Show full text]