Paul and Polycarp writing to the Philippians
16But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already.Notice again the exhortation to follow the example of those saints from the past as well as those around you. Posted by jeremy stock at August 5, 2002 11:27 PM
17Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
~~Philippians 3:16-18I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.
~~~Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (Chapter IX.-Patience Inculcated.)
Jeremy, when did Polycarp write that, and when did he live, roughly? Also for Iraneus - what were the years that they lived and served in the Phillipian church?
Posted by: scott cunningham at August 7, 2002 09:43 AMScott,
According to Schaff, Polycarp was born A.D. 65 and lived to about A.D. 155. Schaff states that dating the Epistle is very difficult but that it was written no later than mid second century (A.D. 150).
Although not much is known about Polycarp's life, we do know that Polycarp was a direct disciple and friend to St. John for at least 20 years. There's a great quote about Polycarp
"I could describe the very place in which the blessed Polycarp sat and taught; his going out and coming in; the whole tenor of his life; his personal appearence; how he would speak of the conversations he had held with John and with others who had seen the Lord. How did he make mention of their words and of whatever he had heard from them respecting the Lord."Furthermore, according to Irenaeus:
"Polycarp was instructed by the Apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen Christ"Irenaeus, according to Schaff lived A.D. 120-202. He was a student and close friend of Polycarp. From my reading it isn't apparent that Irenaeus served at Philippi. He seemed to be sent to Rome by Polycarp during a time of persecution to basically help combat the growing heresies. You can read more about Irenaeus here.
More about Polycarp here.
Hope that helps! Reading the early fathers is amazing, and it alwasy makes me wonder why their writings are almost totally ignored in Protestantism?
Posted by: Jeremy at August 7, 2002 03:49 PMJeremy, glad you included "as well as those around you." Gotta make sure that we remain catholic regardless of what denomination/tradition we find ourselves in. :)
Posted by: Tim at August 7, 2002 04:09 PMWell, it's too our detriment, I'm convinced. But, except for Augustine, you don't normally hear Protestants talking about anyone, or thinking highly of anyone, before Luther. Maybe Wycliff and Hess, but even with those guys, it's more because they are seen as the grandfathers of the Reformation. Protestants seem ignorant of even their Western heritage - guys like Anselm are mostly unknownn - let alone know much at all about the early Eastern church. I'm very glad to be learning more about them, though.
What's a good book to buy, to read a large bulk of several writers' writings? Are there particularly good books you'd recommend to read original writings of the early fathers?
Posted by: scott cunningham at August 8, 2002 07:06 AMWhoops - you recommended some good books in a previous blog. Those look great. I'm ordering the Eusibus book now (that is, until I come to my senses and realize I can't afford another book, at which point I'll probably close my browser down before giving my credit card). I'm also interested in reading more of the actual church fathers' writings and letters. Do you know of some compilations, kind of like the philokalia, that you'd recommend?
Posted by: scott cunningham at August 8, 2002 07:09 AMWhat's funny about that Scott is that the Reformers relied on the Fathers. Calvin cites a lot of Earily Church stuff in his writings. I think the problem is not just with Protestants but with Americans in general. History isn't practical so we don't by-and-large study it.
Posted by: Tim at August 10, 2002 04:50 AMI've heard that before, Tim. But, among modern Calvinists, you don't get that sense so much. I'm sure it's universal, but being Reformed, it seems like except for Augustine, I've not heard many theologians and pastors mention, let alone recommend, the church fathers. It's a big blank spot in my own learning.
Posted by: scott cunningham at August 10, 2002 05:06 AMRight. Calvin may have relied upon various sources from the Fathers, but Augustine was the predominant factor in all of that. In fact, in my own reading of Calvin, I don't ever remember him referring to anyone other than Augustine.
Posted by: wayne at August 10, 2002 12:23 PMYou make a great but unfortunate point, Scott.
As a Protestant for well over half my life, and as a Reformed Protestant for over 7+ years, I knew some of Augustine (mostly his anti-pelagian works), a little Athanasius, and of course Aquinas (as the devil). After that all my focus was pointed towards Calvin and Luther, Edwards, Warfield, Spurgeon, the Westminster Divines, Murray, Owen, et cetera (notice no one prior to the Reformation?) As if all that had come before (the preceeding 1,600 (or so) years of church history) was so unimportant, or at least LESS important than the Protestant Fathers.
All one need do is actually read the Fathers, beginning perhaps with Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Polycarp to Justin Martyr, Hermas, Cyprian, et cetera and one will see that indeed there really is an entire treasure-chest of wisdom, knowledge, proximity, and faithfulness saved in the earliest of Church documents. How can the writings of those persons who in some cases knew the Apostles themselves be of a diminished value?
Alas, when studying church history ought we not begin at the beginning?
Posted by: jeremy at August 12, 2002 12:32 AM