Pastor Steve Paulus

Patristics Part One

Introduction: What is Patrology? Why is Patrology Important?

Introduction: What is Patrology?

Patrology is the study of the life, historical circumstances and writings of the fathers of the church from the generation immediately following the apostles (Apostolic Fathers) to the end of the eighth century. In the east, John of Damascus (675-749 A.D.) marks the end of the patristic period. In the west, Gregory the Great of Rome (540-604 ), or Isidore of Seville (d.676) are considered to be the last of the Church Fathers. The founding of the Holy Roman Empire, with the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III in 800 A.D. marks the end of the Patristic period.

Patristics, in contrast to patrology, focuses attention more on the development of ideas and doctrines rather than simply the lives of the Fathers and the historical development of Christian literature.

A Church Father is determined by four general criteria: 1) orthodoxy of doctrine; 2) holiness of life; 3) ecclesiastical approval; 4) antiquity. Some fathers, e.g. Tertullian, Origen, or Eusebius, may not meet all categories but are nonetheless considered Church Fathers. A Doctor of the Church is determined by three criteria in addition to the previous four: 1) Profound knowledge of Christian doctrine; 2) rigid (firm, solid) orthodoxy; 3) exemplary holiness. Three great doctors acknowledged especially by the east are Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzus, and John Chrysostum. In addition to these the west recognizes Athanasius, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great. Thus making eight in all.

The study of patrology can be divided into several categories:

1) Era: e.g. Apostolic, ante-Nicene, Nicene and post-Nicene

2) Geography: e.g. Syria-Palestine, North Africa, Asia Minor, Alexandria, Rome, etc.

3) Language: Greek, Latin, Syriac, (Armenian, Coptic, etc.).

4) Controversy: The personalities, theological conflicts, and historical circumstances can be studied in context of the ecclesiastical/theological controversies peculiar to a particular era, e.g. Arian, Trinitarian, Christological, Iconoclast controversies.

Early students of Patrology were Eusebius of Caesarea (265-340 ) in his Ecclesiastical History. He is noted as the first and greatest church historian. Jerome (349-420) composed his famous De Viris Illustribus in 393. This was the first study specifically of Patrology. Gennadius of Marseilles in the fifth century continued the tradition of keeping a compendium of the lives and especially the writings of the church fathers. Others continued this tradition. Johannes Quasten's work is the contemporary standard, though there are many others.

Why is Patrology Important?

Patrology is a particularly important study for believers who serve in countries where Catholic or Orthodox Christians make up a majority or even a significant minority of the population. The events of the patristic period shaped the beliefs and practices of both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The break with Judaism, the doctrine of the Church, sacraments, ordination, the formation of the Canon of Scripture, the role of tradition and canon law, Trinitarian and Christological controversies, the creeds and councils which are foundational to modern day Catholicism and Orthodoxy all take place in the Patristic period. You cannot understand Catholicism or Orthodoxy and thus your own cultures and their spiritual history, and atmosphere without understanding Patrology.

Sources Introduction:

Angelo Di Berardino, ed. Encyclopedia of the Early Church, New York: Oxford University Press, 1992

Everett Ferguson, ed. Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, New York and London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990.

Patrick J. Hamell, Handbook of Patrology, Staten Island: Alba House, 1968, p. 9-18.

Johannes Quasten, Patrology, Vol. I, rpt. 1992, Westminster, MD: Christian Classics, Inc., 1950, p. 1-22.

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