Nicene Fathers: Part 2

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to continue learning about the apologetic fathers, the characteristics of their writing, and their impact on the church until today.

INTRODUCTION

In the last lesson, we covered an introduction to what and who the apologetic fathers were.

  • We learned that they mostly were students of the apostolic fathers, who were students of the apostles themselves.
  • We learned that they were defenders of the faith taught them by the fathers before them.
  • Often, they were more debaters than preachers.
  • Fathers like Justin Martyr earned this title of "Martyr" for their adamant and unceasing defense.
  • Most often, these fathers fought against early heresies like Gnosticism.
  • In their efforts, some fathers found themselves in controversial positions.
  • This lesson in the module will cover some church fathers who are not considered saints, as well as some, through whose trials, we developed important parts of our theology.

Note to Servants: An alternate lesson sequence is included in the attachments below.

CONTENT (KEY POINTS)

Summaries of the following fathers can also be found attached below.

St. Cyprian of Carthage

  • Lived in a time when Christians strongly sided with the idea that if you lapsed and denied Christ during persecution that you were to never be welcomed back into the church
  • Despite sharing much of Tertullian's harsh theological ideology (which will be covered in this lesson shortly), St. Cyprian stood strongly on the side of those repentant after lapsing
  • During a massive persecution by Decius, St. Cyprian chose to flee to escape death with hopes to return to shepherd his flock later
  • When he returned, he found a deeply divided church in need of healing
  • He set out and wrote many books in hopes of restoring unity in his flock, which worked
  • In his writings, he did not indulge in speculations, but concerned himself with the needs of the hour, with practical aims and interests, appeals to Christian sentiments, and to Scripture
  • Wrote many writings, 13 of them still exist called "treatises."
  • He taught that "he can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother."
  • There are some who believe he is the same St. Cyprian from the story of St. Justina, but more recent studies have shown he is not.
  • Despite his escape from persecution earlier in his life, St Cyprian was ultimately martyred in 258 AD during the Valerian persecution.

St. Hippolytus of Rome

  • Was a Greek-Speaking priest in Rome in the late 2nd century
  • Resembled Irenaeus in theology (was his student), Origen in scholarship, and Tertullian in attitudes, but was inferior to all three in originality and achievement.
  • Best known today for his liturgical manual "The Apostolic Tradition", whose central prayer is used even today in the Roman Catholic mass
  • Most important work is the Philosophumena (Refutation of All Heresies), which finds the origin of Christian heresies in the philosophical schools of the Greeks

Controversies of St. Hippolytus

  • Hippolytus and some of his followers separated from the Church; he was elected bishop of Rome by a small but influential circle and thus became the first "anti-pope."
  • Exiled to the island of Sardinia in 235 AD with St. Pontian.
  • Clashed with Callistus (bishop of Rome) on Christology & the nature of Church and forgiveness.
  • Hippolytus wanted a church of the pure and took a rigorist position against forgiving those guilty of serious sins after receiving baptism.
  • Before he and Pontian were killed, they were reconciled with the Pope, evidenced by Bishop Fabian (236-250) bringing the two bodies back to Rome to be buried with honor by the Church.

Tertullian (not a Saint)

We will now discuss the two most controversial apologetic fathers, who still have had a great influence on the church today, starting with Tertullian and concluding with a most key father in the early church, Origen.

  • Lived 155-222 AD
  • Renowned lawyer before converting to Christianity after being inspired by martyrs
  • He was brash, bold, and confrontational.
  • In his writing, he was bold, concise, rugged, and involved.
  • Tertullian notably did not bother with beauty of form in his writing, as can be expected of a trained lawyer who aims to reach his point with the least allegory.
  • His faith: "It is to be believed because it is absurd."
  • With Blessed Augustine, he is considered one of the greatest western theologians.
  • In a sense, he created the clear language of western theology.
  • His writings are apologetic; dogmatico-polemic; and practico-ascetical.
  • His chief work was Against Marcion in five books written over a period of about twelve years, 200-212.
  • Marcion believed Jesus was the savior who was sent by God and that St. Paul was his chief apostle. He rejected all Christian teaching.

Controversies of Tertullian

  • Had very little patience for those he believed to be stubborn pagans and fools.
  • Grew impatient with Christians and about 205 or 207 he became a Montanist and attacked Christianity violently.
  • When he died, he had left the Montanists and founded a sect of his own; its members were known as the Tertullianists.
  • Cannot be considered a saint by the Church, but many of his works are considered Orthodox in their content and too valuable to lose.

Origen of Alexandria (not a Saint)

  • Lived 184-253 AD
  • Born to Christian parents; father was martyred.
  • Rented libraries overnight to read their books.
  • It is said that Origen reads while eating, walking, resting, etc.
  • Considered one of the greatest minds in church.
  • So great a mind that Pope Demetrius made him 2nd dean of the School of Alexandria
  • He became a "teacher of teachers" and known, even till now, as the "father of the fathers."
  • The halls he rented were never large enough to accommodate his vast audiences.
  • He was chased away by heretics in every location.
  • Begin teaching openly in public by the rivers.
  • He was/is famous for allegorical interpretations, which are going to play a key role in his non-saint status in the church.
  • Believed to have written over 6,000 manuscripts
  • Writings are mainly intellectual.

Issues Associated with Origen

  • Pope Demetrius held 2 council in 231 AD that excommunicated Origen due to his:
  • Theological mistakes (to be discussed below)
  • His acceptance of the priesthood in Palestine though he was ineligible due to self-castration (2nd council stripped him of official priesthood)
  • After the death of Pope Demetrius, Origen tried to return to Alexandria; his excommunication was upheld by the then Pope Heraclas, who himself had been a student of Origen.
  • Spent the rest of his life in Palestine where he established a significant theological school.
  • A council in Alexandria (400 AD) had Origenism condemned, and Pope Theophilus expelled the Origenist monks "the Tall Brothers." (this is a story that can be searched for, if desired, by the teacher). The Errors of Origen were also formally anathematized at this council.

Origen Mistakes (6 mistakes, "Origenisms")

  • Subordination - Essentially saying father is greater than son, giving hierarchy in the trinity
  • Called the Logos "created" - "the son came to exist at the will of the father", the "son is a created being"
  • Exaggerations in his allegorical interpretations
  • Ultimate Salvation/Restoration of Demons - Taught that even the demons would be given a chance at salvation at judgment
  • Pre-Existence of Souls - Taught that souls were created then sent to be united with bodies. He extended this to Christ.
  • Reincarnation

Origen cemented himself in the annals of church history as a key and integral part of its patristic hagiography. He is, until today, considered the "father of fathers" as many early fathers reference him and credit him as their teacher. While his mistakes are notable, his writings are of great value and continue to be carefully studied, offering a wealth of knowledge for us, until today.

SERVANT RESOURCES

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

ALTERNATE LESSON Grade 9 Week 4 (Patristics).pdf

Summary of Apologetic Fathers 2.pdf