Christians

The Apostolic Fathers

Clement of Rome: c.30-c.100. Ministered in Rome. Wrote I Clement. Is considered by Roman Catholic Church to have been 4th pope. Was martyred under Domitian.

NOTE: Notion that Clement "wrote" I Clement is questionable (the letter never uses his name).
Better to say that the letter is "traditionally attributed" to him. Hermas-- wrote in mid-second century (140s). Sp. "Athenagoras". Not all of Melito's works were lost -- we have his "Paschal Homily."

Ignatius: d. 117. Ministered in Antioch in Syria. Wrote to the Ephesians, the Magnesians, the Trallians, the Romans , the Philadelphians, the Smyrnaeans and to Polycarp. Opposed Gnostic heresies. Was martyred under Trajan.

Hermas: Lived late 1st to early 2nd century. Ministered in Rome, Wrote The Shepherd. Was a contemporary of Clement.

Barnabas of Alexandria: Lived late 1st to early 2nd century. Ministered in Alexandria. Wrote the Epistle of Barnabas. Was familiar with allegorical methods of Philo.

Papias: c. 60-c.130. Ministered in Hierapolis. Wrote Exposition of the Oracles of Our Lord. Was an acquaintance of the apostle John. Claimed Mark's Gospel was based on Peter's words. Said that Matthew's Gospel was originally written in Aramaic.

Polycarp: c.69-160. Ministered in Smyrna. Wrote the Epistle to the Philippians. Was an acquaintance of the apostle John. Compiled and preserved epistles of Ignatius. Was martyred under Antoninus Pius.

Quadratus: early 2nd century. Ministered in Athens. Wrote an Apology. Was bishop of Athens.

Justin Martyr: c.100-165. Ministered in Palestine, Ephesus and Rome. Wrote First Apology, Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, against Heresies and Marcion. Argued for Christianity on basis of prophecy, miracles, and ethics.

Tatian: 110-172. Ministered in Assyria, Syria and Rome. Wrote Diatessaron and to the Greeks. Produced first harmony of Gospels.

Athanagoras: 2nd century. Ministered in Athens. Wrote an Apology and on the Resurrection of the Dead. Was a Platonist and wrote in classical style.

Theophilus: d. 181. Ministered to Antioch. Wrote to Autolycus. Was bishop of Antioch.

Melito: d. 190. Ministered in Sardis. Wrote about 20 works, all lost. Produced first Christian list of the books of the Old Testament.

Hegesippus: 2nd century. Ministered in Syria, Greece and Rome. Wrote Memorials. Collected information on early history of church to prove its purity and apostolicity.

Origen

The Arguments of the Apologists

Jewish Arguments vs. Christianity:
Christianity is a deviant forms of Judaism.
The humble carpenter who died on a cross does not correspond to the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.
The deity of Christ contradicts the unity of God.

Responses of Apologists:
The Jewish law is by nature temporary and points to the new covenant.
The Old Testament predicted both the sufferings and the glory of the Messiah.
The Old Testament indicated a plurality of persons within the unity of the Godhead.

Apologists' Argument Against Judaism:
Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Christ.
Old Testament types point in Christ.
The destruction of Jerusalem showed God's condemnation of Judaism and vindication of Christianity.

Pagan Arguments vs. Christianity:
The doctrine of the Resurrection is absurd.
There are contradictions in the Scriptures.
Atheism is widely held.
Christianity is the worship of a criminal.
Christianity is a novelty.
Christianity evidences a lack of patriotism.
Christians practice incest and cannibalism.
Christianity leads to the destruction of society.

Responses of Apologists:
There were eyewitnesses in Gospels.
The effect on disciples was profound.
There is analogy in natural cycles (e.g., seasons).
Harmonies like Tatian's Diatessaron answer contradictions.
Even Plato favored an unseen god.
Jesus' trial violated law.
Christianity had been in preparation for all eternity.
Moses antedated pagan philosophers.
Christians obey all laws that do not violate conscience.
Observe the lifestyle of Christians, particularly examples of martyrs.
Natural calamities are really the true God's judgment against false worship.

Apologists' Arguments Against Paganism:
Pagan philosophers plagiarized, stealing their best ideas form Moses and the prophets.
Polytheism is a philosophical absurdity and moral disaster.
Pagan philosophers contradict one another and even themselves.

Apologists' Arguments for Christianity
All truth found in pagan philosophers anticipates Christianity and is brought together by it.
Miracles performed by Christ, the apostles, and other Christians prove its truth.
Christianity alone is suited to meet the deepest needs of human beings.