The Early Church – the Early Christian Fathers

The Early Church – The Early Christian Fathers

My initial reaction to the S1 readings, The Clement file, The Didache and The Ignatius file, is that it gives people instructions on daily living. The authors seem to have written what they have heard and experienced as Christians, with the intention of transferring their knowledge to encourage Christians to live Godly lives. The writings give the impression that a Christian should portray a life that is perfect and holy, enduring suffering and hardship with the goal of reaching perfectness.  My argument in this paper is that the writings mislead people to believe that personal behaviour and observing rituals is the way to eternal life. I will begin by giving a brief background of historical times and then share my observation on the reasoning of my thesis as noted in the three files.

The writings seem to have been written in challenging and difficult times in the early centuries, A.D. 100-400. Because of the movement and people converting to Christian faith in massive numbers, various groups, diverse in cultural backgrounds and languages, were forming. This was causing conflicting ideas and theories in Christian doctrine and The Didache was probably written now. There is an urgency and clear direction in the voice of the author on the two paths, life and death (The Didache. p.171). The Clement file, who’s author is not mentioned, seems to have been written when distort and trouble broke up in the Church. We see this when it is said, “Due dear friends, to the sudden and successive misfortunes and accidents we have encountered, we have, we admit, been rather long in turning our attention to your quarrels” (The Clement. p.43). It calls people to live holy and pious lives leading to the reward of eternal life. The Ignatius File addressed to the church in Ephesus, written by Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was written on his way to Martyrdom as he suffered persecution as a Christian. His reference is mainly on the structure of the Church and the importance of the hierarchy. The church was experiencing homogenisation and Ignatius stresses the importance of living in submission to the Bishop. He says, “My prayer is that you should love him like you love Jesus Christ, and all be like him” and “…act accordance with the bishop’s mind” (The Ignatius. p.88-89). People were called to follow the conduct and behaviour of the Bishop. Understanding the historical times and challenges people faced at the time of these writings, helps me see the authors perspective.

The Didache begins by stating the importance of the two two commandments, loving God and loving your neighbor as key to the way to life. But as I read on it is noted that the emphasis is on mans relationship with one another and the observance of rituals, as opposed to the attitude of one’s heart and relationship with God. It begins by addressing the heathen, but speaks directly to Christians as well; possibly those who have come into faith but not demonstrating their faith in action.  I see this when he speaks of loving your enemies stating the contrast between the way that heathens and Christians act (The Didache. p.171). The Didache appears to be like a manual of instructions for living and in doing so, the author portrays an image of being ‘perfect’ in conduct. He stresses the importance of respecting the teaching, honoring the person who preaches and observing the commandments, implying that one will be made ‘perfect’ by doing so (The Didache. p.172). The authors mention that being humble, patient, merciful, harmless, quiet, good, steadfast and enduring suffering results in perfectness. He gives people the impression that it is the way one lives day to day in terms of conduct and behaviour, determines our destiny. A person’s relationship with Christ Himself and the attitude of one’s heart in following instructions given is not talked about. One cannot work towards holiness if not for the process of sanctification and forgiveness of sins and it would have given people some comfort and stability to carry on if conveyed. I see a glimpse of humanness and understanding in the writing, when the author acknowledges the difficulty of living in obedience: “If you can bear the Lord’s full yoke, you will be perfect. But if you cannot, then do what you can” (p. 174).  This is comforting.