Christian Apologists & Early Theology

The Christian Apologists

• Christian Apologists interacted with Gnosticism and other heresies.

Questions to Consider

• Apologetics emerged in early Christianity for a specific reason.
• Both orthodoxy and heresy evolved during the second century.
• Gnosticism differs markedly from orthodox Christianity.
• Emphases on Jesus' humanity and divinity resulted in polar heresies.
• The persecution of Christians and early Christianity offshoots led to theology's systematic growth.

The Early Christian Apologists

• Apologetics comes from the Greek word "apologia," meaning defense.
• Apologetics is a branch of theology dealing with the defense and proof of Christianity.
• Orthodoxy comes from the Greek words "ortho" (right) and "doxa" (belief/right belief).
• Orthodoxy includes the theological views and normative claims that prevailed from Church Fathers, mothers, apologists, and heresiologists.
• Heresy comes from the Greek word "haireomai," meaning to choose.
• Heresy is a belief or beliefs chosen contrary to orthodoxy.

Christian Apologists and Heresiologists of the Second Century

• Key figures include Justin Martyr (c.100-c.165; Caesarea), Hermias (2nd century), and Irenaeus (c.130-c.200; Lyons).
• Other notable individuals: Aristides (2nd century; Athens), Tertullian (c.150-c.212; Carthage), and Theophilus (2nd century; Antioch)..
• More figures were Athenagoras (2nd century) and Melito (2nd century; Sardis).

Orthodoxy and Heresy

• A heresiologist writes accounts (logos) of heresies, combining refutation with classification or origin schemes.
• Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyons (c.130-c.200), was a prominent Christian heresiologist.
• Irenaeus focused primarily on "heretical" groups called the Gnostics.
• He authored the book Against Heresies.

Gnosticism

• "Gnostic" derives from the Greek word "gnosis" (knowledge).
• In 1945, 13 Gnostic books were found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
• The books contained forty-six treatises in the form of gospels, acts, letters, and apocalypses.
• These treatises are known as the "Nag Hammadi Library."

Central Gnostic Beliefs

• In Gnostic cosmology, the cosmos has two parts, flawed physical/material realm, and good spiritual realm.
• The true God is transcendent, beyond all things and individuals and did not create the material world.
• Aeons, including Sophia, exist between God and humans.
• Sophia emanated another flawed being, the Demiurge.
• The Demiurge created the physical cosmos in his flawed image and imprisoned Sophia in human souls as divine sparks.
• In Gnostic anthropology, humans are physical (body/soul) and spiritual, some containing the divine spark of Sophia.
• Gnostics believe they have this divine aspect.
• Gnostic soteriology explains that salvation liberates the human/divine spirit from the material world.
• Liberation is attained through gnosis (knowledge) of the human condition and true origins.
• Many Gnostics believe a cosmic savior is needed for revelation; this revealer is the Aeon called Christ.

Conflicting Heresies

• Marcionites believed in two Gods, the just God of the Old Testament and the loving God of Jesus.

First Systematic Theologians

• In the 2nd century, Christian apologists and heresiologists defended their faith against external and internal challenges.
• This involved clarifying fundamental Christian beliefs about the nature of God and Christ.
• They also clarified the essence of salvation and the meaning of Jesus' incarnation and resurrection.
• Another aspect was the role of the Old Testament in Christian scripture.

Summary of Main Points

• Christian apologists emerged to defend Christianity against outsiders (pagans) and insiders (Gnostics).
• Apologists and heresiologists defended traditional apostolic doctrines and opposed contrary "heresies".
• Gnosticism emerged in the 2nd century with a divided cosmos, multiple gods, and the need for secret self-knowledge for salvation.
• Some heresies stressed Jesus' deity over his humanity, while others stressed his humanity which the apologists disputed.
• In defending their faith, apologists began systematizing theology.

Irenaus of Lyons

• Born in Asia Minor between 120-140 and died between 200-203 CE.
• Irenaeus writes in Adversus Haereses stating the Gospels cannot be more or less in number.
• In Adversus Haereses it is also stated that since there are four zones of the world people live in it is natural the foundation of that church is the gospel because it has four pillars from the four winds, Spirit, breath.
• Born in Smyrna (modern day Turkey) around 130 CE.
• Disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John.
• Migrated to Lyons (France) and became bishop.
• Possibly martyred in 202 CE.
• Key Writings were: Against Heresies refuting Gnosticism and Demonstration of Apostolic Preaching summarizing Christian faith.
• Emphasized continuity of church teachings through bishops.

Irenaeus' Theology

• God as a Loving Shepherd: Creation stems from divine love.
• Humanity's Purpose: To grow in communion with God (Divinization).
• The Role of Angels: Temporary guides, but humanity is destined to surpass them.
• Two Hands of God: The Word (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit instruct humanity.

Ireneaus' Vision on Salvation and Sin

• The Fall was caused by a jealous angel (Satan).
• The Incarnation was not just a response to sin, but part of God's original plan.
• Jesus as the Second Adam restores what was lost, defeats Satan, and leads humanity to divine union.
• History is guided by God leading to communion
• Old Testament acts a a source of preparation
• Resurrection and The Church act together
• There will be Growth, even in the final Kingdom, humanity will continue

Clement of Alexandria

• Clement and the Shepherd of Hermas
• According to NT scholar Bruce Metzge Clement referred to Orpheus as the theologian.
• Clemente also speaks of Plato as being 'under the inspiration of God'.
• Epicurean Metrodorus uttered certain words as 'divinely inspired'.
• He can quote passages as inspired from the epistles of Clement of Rome, Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, and Apocalypse of Peter.
• Born about 150 CE in Athens, Greece.
• Raised in a pagan household but converted to Christianity.
• He traveled extensively in search of deeper Christian understanding.
• Settled in Alexandria, became head of the Christian school and fled persecution in 202 CE, dying in 215 CE
• Philosophy is a preparatory tool for Christianity and he encouraged deep study to uncover spiritual meaning.
• He beleived Truth is one, whether found in scripture or philosophy
• He found Alexandria an intellectual hub influemced by Platonism, Stoicism, and Jewish thought.

Clement’s Key Writings

• Exhortation to the Pagans: Defence of Christianity against pagan accusations.
• The Instructor: Guide for Christian moral and ethical life.
• Stromata (Miscellanies): Explores Christian knowledge and philosophy.

Clement's allegorical interpretation

• Scripture has multiple meanings starting with literal, moral and spiritual and the hidden truths.
• Faith and reason work together, where reason builds faith and unlocks mysteries.
• True wisdom comes from harmonizing scripture and philosophy.

Tertullian of Carthage

• Tertullian chides Marcion for not accepting the Acts of the Apostles, depriving himself of Paul's career information (Adversus Marcion, 5.1).
• Tertullian was a Legalistic person that was very different from Clement and was anti-speculation.
• Once Christian truth is known, all other truth seeking should cease.
• He also joined the Montanist sect late in life but continued to refute heresies.
• Famously responsible for the doctrine of the Trinity as it is still understood to this day

Tertullian on Faith and Philosophy

• Humans achieve Faith and Truth when they "believe and hold to it."
• Any search for truth beyond Christian doctrine is unnecessary.
• Condemned the study of Greek philosophy, particularly Aristotle, and believed it led to heresy and idle speculation.

Tertullian and Montanism

• Founded by Montanus around (~155 AD), emhasizing new prophetic revelations and a rigorist approach
• Tertullian became a Montanist (~207 AD) being frustrated with mainstream Christianity
• Against Praxeas, Tertullian Refuted Modalism/Patripassianism
• Legacy: First major Christian writer in Latin and a key influence on Western Christian.

Origen

• (B. ~185 IN EGYPT, D. 253/254 AT TYRE)
• Origen states that there have been written down not only the four Gospels, but a whole series from which those that we possess have been chosen.
• He was dedicated to Christian scholarship from a young age.
• Hexapla and On First Principles written by him.
• His Theological Contributions include focusing on Allegorical interpretation of Scripture and an Emphasis on spiritual development and moral purification.