Pastor Steve Paulus

Patristics Part Two

Excursus: The Breakdown of Judaism

Developments in the Post Apostolic Church

Apologists

The Church at Alexandria

The Church in North Africa

Nicene and Post Nicene Church

The Councils

The Heresies

The Schism between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

The Crusades

III. Apologists

Apologia is a “reasoned defense of belief or behavior” (Harry Y. Gamble, “Apologetics” p. 65 in EEC). Background of the need, i.e. various accusations concerning ritual infanticide, incest, political burden, social uselessness, the attacks of Jews and philosophers. "Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, Oedipodean intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class; proceed at once against our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children if any man is found to live like the brutes." (Athenagoras, Legatio pro Christianis NE, p.71-2)

A. Justin Martyr: Born in Neapolis, converted between 130-135. He was martyred about 165 after he had offended the philosopher Crescens. He wrote in defense against and in opposition to Greco-Roman unbelievers, Jews, and heretics. He remained a philosopher and donned the philosopher’s mode of dress. He taught in Rome and elsewhere, espousing Christianity as the true philosophy. “But this same Justin after having contended with great success against the Greeks, addressed also other works, containing a defense of our faith, to the emperor Antonine surnamed the Pious, and to the Senate of Rome” (Eusebius, EH, IV,xi)

Implications: proving Christianity to be true interpretation of OT religion.

B. Irenaus of Lyons (c.140-202): Born in Smyrna, knew and learned from Polycarp. He went to Lyons after teaching in Rome to establish and oversee the church there. He intervened with Victor, bishop of Rome in the quartodeciman controversy. Of great importance to the establishment of tradition as a pillar of truth he declared the Rule of Faith as follows: 1) Scripture, plus baptismal formula, or creed, 2) handed down by the apostles, (succession) 3) espoused by the universal church, Rome having pre-eminence (Hamell, p. 53-4). Various writings. The Proof of Apostolic Preaching, and Against Heresies. He introduced the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus was the second eve, much as Christ was the second Adam. Thus he contributed to later unbiblical beliefs about the role of Mary in salvation.

Another important figure is Hegessipus (110-180?). He was one of the first to emphasize the importance of apostolic succession, especially in fighting heresy. “But when I came to Rome, I made for myself a succession list as far as Anicetus; whose deacon was Eleutherus. And from Anicetus Soter receieved the succession; after whom came Eleutherus. And in every succession and in every city that which the Law and the Prophets and the Lord preach is faithfully followed” (Hegessipus in Stevenson, A New Eusebius, p. 73).

C. Summary of Important Doctrinal Developments

Important to the development of Catholic and Orthodox doctrine was the rule of faith which gave apostolic churches a special place of significance in the organization of the church. The rule of faith also placed church tradition on equal footing with scripture as a source of truth. Discussion of Mary as the second Eve will play a significant role in the future life of the church.

Sources:

Hamell, p. 35-45, 51-55

Everett F. Ferguson, ed. Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, p.65 ff.

________________, “Irenaus” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1984.

Quasten, vol. i, p. 186-253, 278-313.

Stevenson, A New Eusebius

Marina Warner. Alone of All Her Sex: The Myth and the Cult of the Virgin Mary. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1976.

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