Thursday, May 25, 2023

Church History: The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (2nd-3rd centuries)




Lecture Notes Outline

The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (2nd-3rd centuries)


- The Apostolic Fathers (late 1st - mid-2nd century)
     - Clement of Rome
     - Ignatius of Antioch
     - Polycarp of Smyrna

- Rapid Christian growth in lower classes of urban areas
     - Martyrdom (“witnessing”)
     - Attractive morality   
     - Compassion in action

- The Apologists (mid-2nd - mid-3rd century)
     - Justin Martyr
     - Irenaeus of Lyons
     - Clement of Alexandria
     - Origen
     - Tertullian

- Combating early heresies:
     - Gnosticism
     - Ebionism
     - Marcionism
     - Montanism