“The first century following the death of the Apostles produced few Christian writers, few men of learning or note. For the most part, the Christians of those days were concerned about living Christianity and they found in the Scriptures all that was necessary to their salvation and edification.”1
However, during the second and third centuries, there were several prominent Christians or so-called Church Fathers.
Clement of Rome (c. 30-100)
Clement was an elder in the church at Rome. Noted for his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote during the lifetime of the Apostle John, providing some light on the life of the churches at the close of the first century. He had seen both the apostles Peter and Paul, and in his letter made reference to their martyrdom. He wrote with humility yet triumphantly of persecution, the value of Old Testament typology, the hope of Christ’s return, and the way of salvation, stressing the importance of good works in a Christian’s life. He also defended the faith against the heresy of Docetism (i.e., that Jesus was a pure-spirit, and not a man).
The Apostle Paul mentions a certain Clement in Philippians 4:3, but it is debatable if this is the Clement of Rome who wrote a letter to the Corinthians.
Ignatius (c. 50–c. 111)
All we know of Ignatius is primarily through 15 letters ascribed to him. He was probably a native of Syria, a pupil of the Apostle John, and an elder of the church at Antioch, Syria. He manifested a deep love for Christ, stressed the importance of Christ’s incarnation, and was persuaded that the Lord’s Supper was a means of ensuring unity.
At the time of his martyrdom, his contemporaries described him as “a man in all things like the Apostles. As to his martyrdom, he said, “I would rather die for Christ than rule the whole world.”3
Justin Martyr (?-163)
The date of Justin Martyr’s birth is unknown. He was born at present-day Nablus in Palestine and was one of the few very learned men of the second century. He was an apologist, that is, a writer who defended the Christian faith. Walking by the sea one day, he met a total stranger who told him about Christ and he became a believer. He never saw the man again. Justin became an ardent defender of the faith, having written the Apology for Christianity and several other works. What we know about him comes chiefly from his writings.
Justin was later accused of the crime of being a Christian, and the sentence imposed on him–along with several others was that they first be scourged, then beheaded. Around 163 ad he sealed his testimony with his blood.
Polycarp (c. 69–155)
Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and a friend of Ignatius. While still a young man, he became an elder at Smyrna, the city of his birth. He was a link between the apostles and the second century church, having contributed greatly to the latter. Around 155 ad, local persecution took place in Smyrna and several Christians were martyred. He was singled out as the leader of the church there and was marked out for martyrdom. When asked to repent of his faith, he is reported to have said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who saved me?” He was burned at the stake following his bold and courageous confession.
Iranaeus (c. 130–c. 202)
Having probably been born at Smyrna, Iranaeus studied under Polycarp and ultimately became an elder at Lyons. For many years he labored zealously in literary activity, pastoral work, and missionary preaching. His greatest literary work was entitled, Against Heresies, a defense of the Christian faith against the insidious teachings of the Gnostics and other heretics.
Iranaeus made full use of the New Testament, showing the unity of the Old and New Testaments. We know nothing more of him after 190 ad, and it’s believed that he died a martyr’s death.
Tertullian (c. 160–c. 220)
Born in Carthage, North Africa, where he lived most of his life, Tertullian was highly educated and the first Christian author to write in Latin. For 30 or so years he lived in licentiousness, then became a Christian about 190 ad. He was a prolific writer, ardent defender of the faith, and a gifted preacher, his main concerns having been Christianity’s attitude to the Roman state and society, the defense of orthodox beliefs against heresy, and the moral behavior of Christians.
Around 207 ad, reacting against the worldliness of the church, his own strict moral code led him to cast in his lot with the Montanist schism that was making itself felt in the church at that time. In turn this led him to asceticism and legalism. Although married, he placed celibacy higher than marriage.
Toward the end of Tertullian’s life, he left the Montanists and formed a sect of his own. He was the first Christian writer to use the words Trinity and Person in relation to the Godhead.
Origen (c. 185–c. 254)
Born into a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, Origen became the greatest scholar and most prolific author of the early church fathers. His first major work, First Principles, attempted to systematically present fundamental Christian doctrines. However, in his attempt to explain Christianity in the prevailing philosophical ideas of his time, it was to the detriment of the former. Nevertheless, he remained faithful to the basic truths of Christianity.
Origen was deeply spiritual and led a spartan life. He traveled widely and his death around 254 ad was the result of injuries inflicted during the persecution under the Emperor Decius.
Cyprian (c. 195–c. 258)
Cyprian became a Christian in 246 ad. He was a rich, cultured man of Carthage, North Africa, but gave away much of his wealth to the poor after his conversion. At the request of the people, he became bishop of Carthage, but accepted the position reluctantly. However, he developed a strong insistence on the authority of the bishop, although there was no desire on his part to lord it over God’s flock.
Cyprian was a godly man with a well trained but clear and simple mind. His labors were greatly blessed and he steered clear of the philosophical teachings of his day, adhering to the plain apostolic line of teaching. He was the instrument of a great revival in Carthage, the effects of which spread far and wide.
Cyprian’s career was limited to 13 years, during which time there was considerable persecution, his life having been cut short by a martyr’s death.
An Assessment
What can we learn from this vital period of second and third century Christianity? On the negative side, there are several things we need to observe. The emphasis placed on one man becoming the bishop of a city or area laid the foundation for clerisy, which has been so prevalent in the church’s history, something totally foreign to the teaching of the New Testament. We further note the trends toward asceticism, legalism, celibacy, and party spirit. Also, man’s philosophies commenced to influence fundamental Christianity, coupled with a growing spirit of worldliness in the church.
On the positive side, however, we should be grateful to God for faithful men and women who contended for the faith, even to sealing their testimony with their life’s blood. We all have feet of clay and are flawed in one way or another. No one of us holds the truth perfectly, although this by no means excuses us for allowing error to creep into the church or into our own personal lives.
Whatever valid criticisms we may have of the so-called early Church Fathers, we need to ask ourselves to what extent we measure up to their sacrificial devotion to Christ and faithfulness to the Word of God. And, if necessary, are we ready to die a martyr’s death for His sake?
ENDNOTES
1 T. W. Carron, The Christian’s Testimony through the Ages, p. 41.
2 Ibid., p. 41.
3 Elgin S. Moyer, Who Was Who in Church History, p. 209.