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Age of Catholic Christianity I 70-312 AD The Apostolic Fathers Catholic? Types of Church Fathers 1. Apostolic Fathers (c. 95-150) 2. Apologists (c. 140–200) 3. Polemicists (c. 180–225) 4. Scientific Theologians (c. 225–460) The Apostolic Fathers • Took over after the apostles in founding the early church • Most of their early lives are unknown as only the Christian life was important to them • Usually direct disciples of the apostles • Stayed primarily in the locale in which they grew as Christians • Were godly men of good repute (1 Tim 3) The Bishop? • The early church bishop was different from the modern concept of bishop • No clear definition has lead to much dispute • In short they ran the local church in a semi-authoritarian manner Clement of Rome Clement of Rome • • • • • Little is known of his early life, but he was well educated particularly in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) Became “the” or at least one of the bishop(s) of Rome Is considered the 4th pope in the Roman Catholic Church Wrote the nearly Canonical I Clement Was probably martyred but the manner in which it occurred is unclear Clement of Rome I Clement – Cease rebelling – Come under elders authority – Exhortation to love, penitence and humility – Apostolic succession – Desire for unity in the church – Talks of Peter and Paul's martyrdom Clement of Rome II Clement – Was attributed to Clement, but later discovered to come from a different source – Scripture Quotations! – Not modern bible teaching Ignatius of Antioch • Only seen at the end of his life • Was one of the earliest if not the leader of the church in Antioch • Arrested and taken to Rome to be martyred for Christ • Wrote 7 letters while traveling to Rome • Martyred c. 110AD Ignatius of Antioch His Seven Letters • Ephesus • Magnesia • Tralles • Romans • Philadelphians • Smyrneans • To Polycarp Ignatius of Antioch Key Foci of His Writings • • • • Struggle against false teachers His impending death Unity/Structure of the church Obedience to Bishops – Ignatius caused great controversy because of the pro-hierarchical views and the Episcopal supremacy found in his letters Polycarp • • • • • Bishop of Smyrna Disciple of John the Apostle Wrote a letter to the Philippian Church Was simple, loving, humble and pastoral Martyred Feb. 22, c.155AD Didache (The Teaching) • “The Teaching of the Apostles” • 2 Parts – The “Two Ways” Life v. Death – Manual of church order and practice • • • • Baptism The Eucharist Prayer Discerning of False Teachers