A Look at Church History

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Look at Church History What is Church? Who is Church? The church is a sign of the mystery of God’s love. In the church, we share a journey of faith. God has made known to us the mystery of his will… to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:9a, 10b The church is our home, where we are the family of God. How does the church offer you a home- like place? When we care for a lamb, we are tender and careful. How do you experience God caring for you in the same way? A look at Church History • From Jesus to Benedict XVI What is CHURCH? • The mystical Body of Christ—St. Paul • The Vine and the Branches—Jesus as told by John • God’s Family—Ephesians • God’s building—Psalms, Matthew and Corinthians • Jesus’ Little Flock—The good shepherd parable • The people of God—Vatican II What is CHURCH? • Our church is one just like our God is one. • It is holy, as Divine Love is holy. • It is catholic, meaning universal • It is built on the foundation of the twelve apostles. Pentecost: Birth of the Church • On the fiftieth day after Jesus’ death, Jesus kept his promise and sent the advocate, The Holy Spirit. Three thousand were added to the fold that day. Early Church: 30-80 AD A Jewish sect • Communal life • A refuge for widows and children • Missionary in nature • The services were in the homes Rapid spread • Strong infrastructure • World was at peace • Spiritual unrest Conversion of Paul 40’s AD • Among the Jewish leadership • Watchdog of the faith • A tent maker • On the road to Damascus The Council of Jerusalem (49AD) • Development of the Creed – Apostles creed • What do we do with Gentiles? – Jewish laws • Circumcision • Dietary • Sexual ethics. Early Leadership • Five Christian centers: Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Byzantium, and Rome Early Missions • Paul – Missionary journeys – Many letters – Imprison- ment Persecutions • Under the emperor Nero – Persecutions of Christians in Rome 60’s AD (CE) – Martyrdom of Peter and Paul 63 AD (CE) Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple • Destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD (CE) Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple • The Western or Wailing Wall Today The Gospels Writing of the Gospels 65-100 AD (CE) At least 30 years after Jesus • Mark: 55-65 Gentile audience • Matthew 60-75 Jewish audience • Luke 60-75 Greek audience • John 90+ General audience Epistles (40-80 CE) • Writing of the Epistles: 40-80’s • Paul • John • Peter A Persecuted Church 60- 313 AD • Second Century – Authority – Scriptures, – Creed, and – Hierarchy A Persecuted Church 60- 313 AD • Apostolic Fathers and apologists (defenders of the faith) • Martyrs • Heresies An Accepted Church • Edict of Toleration, February 313 – Constantine – Allowed religious freedom – Did not alienate the pagan practices at first – Returned land and gave generous donations. – Allowed clerics important privileges – Changed laws to be more ―Christian‖ – Passed on title of Supreme Pontiff An Accepted Church • What about Church leadership. We use to have four seats of leadership, now we have a pope! What’s next… …..A council An Accepted Church • Council of Nicea 325 – Called by Constantine to unify the church – 300 bishops gathered – Defined the nature of God – We got a creed An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Athanasius (295- 373) • Drew parallels between Adam and others from the OT and Christ. An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Ephraem of Nisibis (306-373) • God became man so that we might share in his immortality. An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Basil of Ceasarea (330-379) • Organized charity (famine) • Organized community living (monastic life) • Concerned for unity and orthodoxy in the church An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Gregory of Nyssa (335-394) • All will know that you are a Christian by the love you show for your neighbor An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – John Chrysostom (354-407) • Every Christian must be concerned for the salvation of his brothers An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Ambrose of Milan (333-397) • Advice on prayer, pray often and pray alone • Set up help for the poor • Introduced hymn singing to the Western church An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Jerome (347-420) • All will know that you are a Christian by the love you show for your neighbor. • Revised the Latin text of the Bible (Vulgate) An Accepted Church • Church Fathers – Augustine (354-430) • St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo remains one of the most influential authors of church doctrine, and the continued transmission and relevance of his texts for almost 1600 years serve as witness to his broad influence. While the author of many works, he is most well known for his biographical Confessions and his master work The City of God An Accepted Church • Church Father: Benedict – Founder of western monasticism, born at Nursia, c. 480; died at Monte Cassino in 543 Benedict was the son of a Roman noble of Nursia, a small town near Spoleto, and a tradition, which St. Bede accepts, makes him a twin with his sister Scholastica. His boyhood was spent in Rome, where he lived with his parents and attended the schools until he had reached his higher studies. An Accepted Church Council of Chalcedon 451 • two natures of Christ, Christ is one person in two natures. • Primacy of the Bishop of Rome When we put on Christ like a garment, we become “other Christs” to each other. How do you experience this? As you…have received Christ…continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him…abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6 The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • The Middle ages – For the first three centuries Rome persecuted Christians – Then for the next two, Rome and the Christian church blended. – But the empire was very sick in the 500s The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Barbarian Invasions • Monasticism and Missionary work • Islam • Papal States • Holy Roman Empire The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • East West conflict – War over icons – Emperor Leo III (726) destroyed an icon. – Language misunderstandings – Close to Islam – Purification of popular religion The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Church Fathers – Cyril and Methodius The princes of the Slavs ask for master educators to teach them Christian ways . They did good work. Developed an alphabet for the Slavonic language that eventually became what is known as the Cyrillic today. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • East West conflict The West or Roman The East or Greek •Doctrine and faith were •The ritual was faith in action. separated •To change the liturgy meant •Changes in liturgy and changing faith standards were being •Bishops and Monks were developed and mandated. celibate –but not the priests •Celibacy was the norm (or at least married men renounced sexual relations with their wives. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Christendom 1100-1300 – Society and church intertwined – Importance of the Papacy The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • The Papacy • The Crusades • Monasticism The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Sacraments for the average person – Baptism • Usually a few days after birth • Everyone in western civilization was baptized – Confession • Required to confess at least once a year – Eucharist • Even the very pious received Eucharist only a few times in their life. • Seeing the host elevated was believed to grant special virtues. – Matrimony • As of the 13th century it becomes part of the seven sacraments • Most did not understand the Latin ritual The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Religious education for the average person – Most learned by osmosis – Parents were to teach • The Our Father • The Ten Commandment • Seven deadly sins • Seven cardinal virtues • Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit • Seven sacrament – Pilgrimages became important The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Religious Art – Honor and devotion to God – Education for the masses The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Challenge and defense (1100-1300) – Defending the Holy Places – Challenges • Jews and discrimination (no, Hitler learned from us) – Missions to China – Anyone disagreeing with the church is a heretic. – Some grass roots groups were seeking to find and live the truth, however with them being lay groups they didn’t have proper supervision. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Church Fathers – Dominic 1170-1221 • All the evidence goes to show that St. Dominic was a man of remarkable attractiveness of character and broadness of vision; he had the deepest compassion for every sort of human suffering. The order that he founded was a formative factor in the religious and intellectual life of later medieval Europe; its diffusion is now world-wide. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Church Fathers – Francis of Assisi 1181-1226 • Born of a wealthy textile merchant. He heard the call and took on poverty bring Christ to the poor. He rebuilt the church at St. Damian. Many others joined him as fries dedicated to helping the needy and building the church. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • Church Fathers – Thomas Aquinas – Born to an aristocratic family living in Roccasecca, Italy, Thomas Aquinas joined the Dominican order while studying philosophy and theology at Naples. Later he pursued additional studies in Paris where he was exposed to Aristotelean thought by Albert the Great and William of Moerbeke. The Rise and Fall of Christendom 500-1500 • The real world – War • One hundred year War – Plague • Over a third of Europeans died in the Black Death – Death • As people tried to explain their grief, they scapegoated the Jews The Reformation and Western Schism and it affect • Much of Europe is becoming nation states.
Recommended publications
  • Fathers of the Church, Part 2: the Latin (Or Western) Fathers
    Fathers of the Church, Part 2: The Latin (or Western) Fathers A previous In Focus explored some of the great Fathers of the Eastern, or Greek, Church. This week the Latin (Western) Fathers are highlighted. While there is no official list of the Fathers, since the fifth century the criteria for selection has been that the individuals lived holy lives, were orthodox in their teachings and writings, lived during antiquity (the first through seventh centuries) and have been approved by the Church. According to some historians, there are more than 100 total Church Fathers (East and West); many of the same names are found on the different lists. The Fathers helped define, establish and promote the dogmas of the Catholic faith. They not only explained and advanced Christianity, but they stood against those who would defame, deny or exploit our Lord, Jesus Christ. This author is not able to adequately measure or describe the sanctity of these men, who were popes, bishops, theologians, apologists and writers. Some are saints, and all gave themselves in the service of the Lord. Here are a handful among the giants from the Western Church who have the title Church Father. They are categorized by those who lived just before the Council of Nicea, those in the era of Nicea and those after the council, up through the seventh century. Part one about the Greek (Eastern) Church Fathers was published Jan. 21 and can be found at: bit.ly/fatherspart1. Ante-Nicea Fathers Tertullian (c. 155-220) Tertullian Public domain The Fathers of the Western Church begin with Tertullian in the second century.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Times (A.D
    The Catholic Faith History of Catholicism A Brief History of Catholicism (Excerpts from Catholicism for Dummies) Ancient Times (A.D. 33-741) Non-Christian Rome (33-312) o The early Christians (mostly Jews who maintained their Jewish traditions) o Jerusalem’s religious establishment tolerated the early Christians as a fringe element of Judaism o Christianity splits into its own religion . Growing number of Gentile converts (outnumbered Jewish converts by the end of the first century) . Greek and Roman cultural influences were adapted into Christianity . Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (resulted in the final and formal expulsion of the Christians from Judaism) o The Roman persecutions . The first period (A.D. 68-117) – Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the burning of Rome . The second period (A.D. 117-192) – Emperors were less tyrannical and despotic but the persecutions were still promoted . The third period (A.D. 193-313) – Persecutions were the most virulent, violent, and atrocious during this period Christian Rome (313-475) o A.D. 286 Roman Empire split between East and West . Constantinople – formerly the city of Byzantium and now present- day Istanbul . Rome – declined in power and prestige during the barbarian invasions (A.D. 378-570) while the papacy emerged as the stable center of a chaotic world o Roman Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 which legalized Christianity – it was no longer a capital crime to be Christian o A.D. 380 Christianity became the official state religion – Paganism was outlawed o The Christian Patriarchs (Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople) .
    [Show full text]
  • 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]
  • Church Fathers / Episode 13 / St. Ambrose of Milan
    Church Fathers / Episode 13 / St. Ambrose of Milan Video Audio <<CAM 1>> Hello and Welcome to this edition of Wisdom of the Fathers. The Catholic faith is one of rich Att. Picture of the Church (1). intellectual tradition … stretching all the way back to the time of Christ. When Christ ascended into Heaven … He Att. Picture of the Ascension (2). left us a church that was in its infancy … in its self-understanding. This infancy created a NEED within in Att. Picture of the Bible (3). the church for individuals to RISE UP and think about … pray over … and meditate upon what God was revealing. The answer to this NEED was the Church Att. Picture of Church Fathers (4). Fathers … certain individuals who were intellectual giants … gifted with the ability to either break down an article of faith into its simplest form or develop it further. They did this so we ordinary Catholics could understand the fullness of what Att. Picture of Catholics in the Pews (5). Jesus was trying to purport to us in sacred scripture and apostolic tradition … also known as the Deposit of Faith. In this thirteenth and final episode we’re Att. Picture of Ambrose of Milan (6). going to talk about St. Ambrose of Milan ... a well-respected Church Father. <<CAM 2>> Now … before we get into the fine points of his life … let’s step back for one split second and measure the influence of this man. 1 St. Ambrose of Milan was a bishop … a Type on …”Bishop … Philosopher … philosopher … a theologian … a religious Theologian … Religious Leader … leader … a teacher … a catechumen … a Teacher … Catechumen … Lawyer … trained lawyer … and a writer.
    [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]
  • Holy Fathers 7Th Council
    October 14, 2012 Sunday Sermon Fr Ambrose Young Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Skete The Holy Fathers of the 7th Council Titus 3:8-15 Luke 8:5-15 In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. On this Sunday the Church celebrates the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and asks us to reflect upon that Council and also the whole concept we Orthodox have of what we constantly refer to as “the Holy Fathers”. This Council of the Church—the last general universal Council of Holy Orthodoxy--was held in the year 787 and dealt with the whole controversy surrounding the use of sacred images or icons. This is an important Council for us to know about because in the West, at the time of the Protestant Reformation, images in churches were severely criticized and in many cases destroyed and forbidden. To this day most Protestant churches are very bereft and bare of sacred imagery other than the Cross, and some do not even have a Cross. Mormons even see the Cross as an emblem of shame and do not make use of it in their churches and temples, nor do they wear a cross. Even some very modern Catholic Churches—perhaps in order not to offend Protestants?—have gone in the direction of stripping themselves of sacred art of all kinds. But in Orthodoxy we continue to preserve and cherish our rich tradition of iconography and other forms of sacred art, seeing these as both theologically and spiritually necessary and also an essential component of ancient Christian civilization.
    [Show full text]
  • Church Fathers on Education
    "Hear this, ye fathers and mothers, that your upbringing of children shall not lose its reward [...] It was on account of his children that Eli perished (see I Samuel). For he ought to have admonished them, and indeed, he did admonish them, but not as he ought; but from unwillingness to give them pain, he destroyed both himself and them. Hear this, ye fathers, bring your children up with great, great care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Youth is wild, and requires many governors, teachers, directors, attendants and tutors; and after all these, it is a happiness if it be restrained. For as a horse not broken in, or a wild beast untamed, such is youth. But if from the beginning, from the earliest age, we fix in it good rules, much pains will not be required afterwards; for good habits formed will be for them as a law. Let us not suffer them to do anything which is agreeable but injurious [...] Let us admonish them. Let us employ sometimes advice, sometimes warnings, sometimes threatening. Let us bestow great care upon them, and do everything, that the Evil One may not rob us of them." (St. John Chrysostom) "Fathers and mothers, Go and lead your children by the hand into the Church." (St. John Chrysostom) "Rear your children in the Lord [...] Teach them from infancy the Word of God. Discipline them when needed, and render them respectful to legitimate authority. Never let them exercise authority over you." (The Apostolic Constitutions) "With us everything should be secondary compared to our concern with children, and their upbringing in the instruction and teaching of the Lord." (St.
    [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]
  • Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Cyprian of Carthage on Suffering: A
    LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JUSTIN MARTYR, IRENAEUS OF LYONS, AND CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE ON SUFFERING: A COMPARATIVE AND CRITICAL STUDY OF THEIR WORKS THAT CONCERN THE APOLOGETIC USES OF SUFFERING IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY THEOLOGY AND APOLOGETICS BY AARON GLENN KILBOURN LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA AUGUST 2017 Copyright © 2017 by Aaron Glenn Kilbourn All Rights Reserved ii APPROVAL SHEET JUSTIN MARTYR, IRENAEUS OF LYONS, AND CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE ON SUFFERING: A COMPARATIVE AND CRITICAL STUDY OF THEIR WORKS THA CONCERN THE APOLOGETIC USES OF SUFFERING IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY Aaron Glenn Kilbourn Read and approved by: Chairperson: _____________________________ Reader: _____________________________ Reader: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________ iii To my wife, Michelle, my children, Aubrey and Zack, as well as the congregation of First Baptist Church of Parker, SD. I thank our God that by His grace, your love, faithfulness, and prayers have all helped sustain each of my efforts for His glory. iv CONTENTS Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………………ix Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………….x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..1 Personal Interest………………………………………………………………………8 The Need for the Study……………………………………………………………….9 Methodological Design……………………………………………………………….10 Limitations……………………………………………………………………………12 CHAPTER 2: THE CONCEPT OF SUFFERING IN THE BIBLE AND EARLY APOLOGISTS........................................................................................................................14
    [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]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • The Latin Fathers the 3Nd
    GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH Gaithersburg, Maryland The History of the Early Christian Church Unit Two – The Early Church Fathers “Who Were They?” “Why Do We Remember Them?” The Latin Fathers The 3nd. of Three Sessions in Unit Two The 7th Sunday of Easter - The Sunday after the Ascension – May 14, 2020 (Originally Scheduled / Prepared for the 4th Sunday of Lent, 2020) I. Now Just Where Were We? It has been a long time since we were considering the Church Fathers in Unit 2. This is a “pick up session,” now that we have completed the 14 other sessions of this series on The History of the Early Christian Church. Some may remember that we were giving our attention to the early Church Fathers when the interruption of the Covid19 virus descended upon us, and we found ourselves under stay at home policies. Thanks to our pastor’s leadership ond our well equipped communications equipment and the skill of Pilip Muschke, we were able to be “on line` almost St. Jerome - Translator of Latin Vulgate instanetly. We missed only one session between our live class 4-5th Century and our first on line class. Today, we pick up the session we missed. We had covered two sessions of the three session Unit 2. The first of these sessions was on The Apostolic Fathers. These were those who had either known our Lord or known those who did. Among those would have been the former disciples of Jesus or the early first generation apostles. These were the primary sources to whom the ministry of our Lord was “handed off.” Saint Paul was among them.
    [Show full text]