church-history
Historical studies on the development of Christian doctrine, early church writings, councils, and controversies.
St. Justin, Paul & Marcion the Heretic Paid Members Public
It is common to hear specific internet apologists suggesting that St. Justin Martyr didn’t have access to, or was aware of, the canon of the New Testament since that took centuries to hammer out. They often argue that Justin’s writings indicate that he didn’t even have Paul’
Justin’s Knowledge of Paul Paid Members Public
The following is taken from the Biblical Criticism & History Forum. Justin Martyr and the apostle Paul. * Post by Ben C. Smith » Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:54 pm On the thread about the reception history of the NT books the question came up of whether or not Justin Martyr
Irenaeus on Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Paid Members Public
Here’s what St. Irenaeus wrote in respect to the letter that St. Polycarp had written to the Church at Philippi: 4. But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the
Protestant Historian, Early Church & Baruch Paid Members Public
The following excerpt is taken from Philip Schaff: ANF06. Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius, and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius. It is taken from Methodius’ Banquet of the Ten Virgins; or Concerning Chastity. The noted Protestant historian Schaff acknowledged that the 2nd-3rd century
Irenaeus, Jesus’ Age & Apostolic Tradition Paid Members Public
I cite a section from St. Irenaeus’ Adversus haereses (“Against Heresies”), where he explicitly states that the elders/bishops personally received and were taught a tradition from the Apostles such as John that our Lord was older than thirty, and was in fact in his forties when his earthly ministry
Origen, Hippolytus on Infant Baptism Paid Members Public
I quote what prolific church writer Origen and prominent Christian theologian Hippolytus of Rome wrote in respect to the baptism of infants and little children. Origen (11) Therefore our body is the body of sin, for it is not written that Adam knew his wife Eve and became the father
Cyprian, Circumcision & Infant Baptism Paid Members Public
The following excerpt is taken from St. Cyprian’s discussion on the necessity and centrality of infant baptism where he stresses the importance of baptizing infants immediately without delay. In doing so, Cyprian breaks down the significance of physically circumcising male infants on the 8th day. The blessed saint explains
St. Cyprian: No Church Without the Bishop Paid Members Public
Here is what the blessed Cyprian wrote in respect to the authority, centrality and necessity of the Bishop: 3. But with respect to what you have said, that priests should be lowly, because both the Lord and His apostles were lowly; both all the brethren and Gentiles also well know