Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155). Polycarp is considered one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of John the Apostle, resulting in first-hand knowledge of the Gospel message and the ministry of Jesus. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna and authored the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. Polycarp lived in the period just after all of the apostles had died. He therefore played an important role in ensuring that the teachings of churches were true to the teachings of the apostles, which he learned directly from John. After reaching an old age, Polycarp was martyred by being burned at the stake and then pierced by a spear. This was done because Polycarp refused to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. Polycarp’s last words were, “I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ.”
Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130–202). Irenaeus was an early church Father who played an important role both in the spread of Christian churches and in the establishment of orthodox doctrine. He is the author of Against Heresies, which is a refutation of Gnosticism. He taught that true doctrine is supported by three pillars: Scripture, apostolic tradition, and teachings that can be traced back directly to the apostles. Irenaeus is the first known person to assert the essential importance of all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Clement of Alexandria (c.150–215). Clement was born to pagan parents, converted to Christianity, and later taught philosophy and theology at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He was well educated in Greek philosophy and literature. Clement’s three major works have survived in full: Protrepticus, Paedagogus, and Stromata. Protrepticus is an apologetic work directed at pagans and explaining why they should become Christians. Paedagogus is a practical guide for proper Christian living and draws from Plato’s framework of character, actions, and passions. Stromata consists of six books on six different topics, but with significant content related to Greek philosophy and the differing roles of faith and philosophy for Christians. Clement is viewed as the first Christian scholar and the first systematic teacher of Christian doctrine.
Tertullian (c.155–220). Tertullian was a prominent Christian theologian from Carthage and the first Christian to produce a large amount of writing in Latin. He is often referred to as the Father of Latin Christianity and as the Founder of Western Theology. His writings are the first to use the word “trinity.” Although a prolific author of dogmatics and apologetics, Tertullian’s most famous work is probably Against Marcion, which consists of five books. Against Marcion refutes Marcion’s dualism, shows that Jesus is the Messiah of the OT, and attacks Marcion’s versions of Luke’s Gospel and Pauline letters, which Tertullian describes as having been mutilated. Since none of Marcion’s writings survive, much of what is known about Marcionism is from Tertullian’s writings. Tertullian is also well known for his rejection of the incorporation of Greek philosophy into Christian theology, famously writing, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”[i]
Origen of Alexandria (c.185–253). Origen of Alexandria was an early Christian scholar and theologian who wrote thousands of treatises covering textual criticism, biblical exegesis, hermeneutics, homiletics, and spirituality. Some of the more notable contributions of Origin to theology include: the ransom-to-Satan theory of atonement; an early advocate of libertarian free will and the corresponding rejection of predestined election; the pre-existence of souls (later condemned as heretical); a threefold interpretive method of Scripture (later expanded into the Quadriga); and an early defender of the Holy Spirit being part of the Godhead.
Athanasius of Alexandria (c.296–373). Athanasius was a Christian theologian and bishop of Alexandria. He had an extremely colorful career that spanned 45 years and included five exiles. Athanasius is best known for his stand against Arianism and his insistence that the Father and Son are of the same essence (homoousios). His most impactful writings were probably his two-part work: Against the Heathen and The Incarnation of the Word of God. These were the first complete works of developed orthodox theology. As such, Athanasius is sometimes referred to as the Father of Orthodoxy. It should be noted that the Athanasian Creed is named after Athanasius but was almost certainly not written by him. Rather, it was likely written sometime in the fifth century.
Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329–390). Also known as Gregory the Theologian and Gregory the Nazianzen, Gregory was the Archbishop of Constantinople and a theologian. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. As a classically trained orator and philosopher, he brought many aspects of Greek tradition into the early church. Gregory made a significant impact on trinitarian theology among both Greek and Latin-speaking theologians. He is often referred to as the Trinitarian Theologian.
Ambrose of Milan (c.339–397). St. Ambrose was a theologian who served as Bishop of Milan (374–397). He played a prominent role in the fights against both Arianism and paganism. Theologically, Ambrose taught the importance of high ethical behavior, liturgical flexibility, generosity to the poor, and the importance of the role of the virgin Mary as the Mother of God. St. Augustine, before his conversion, famously listen to the lectures of St. Ambrose and found their content more compelling than the Manichean rhetorician Faustus.
John Chrysostom (c.347–407). John Chrysostom served as Archbishop of Constantinople and was among the most prolific authors in the early Christian Church. He was renowned for his eloquent oratory skills and was referred to as the golden mouthed. Hundreds of his exegetical sermons have survived and serve as a primary resource for an understanding of how the early church fathers interpreted and preached Scripture. His Paschal Homily (Hieratikon) is still read at the midnight Orthros in the Eastern Orthodox Church (the first service of Pashcal/Easter). Chrysostom contributed theologically through his work On the Incomprehensible Nature of God. This was directed against the Anomoeans, who taught a radical form of Arianism where Jesus was taught to be of a completely different substance than God the Father. Chrysostom also argues that God is unknowable except as He reveals himself.Augustine of Hippo (354–430). Saint Augustine was bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430. He was one of the Latin Fathers of the Church and is considered the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. He was born to a pagan father and Christian mother, and eventually converted to Christianity after living hedonistically early in life and then practicing Manicheism for several years. Although more than 100 of Augustine’s works have survived, his most influential have been City of God and Confessions. It is hard to overstate the influence of Augustine in nearly all aspects of theology, but some notable contributions include original sin, the unity of soul and body, an allegorical interpretation of many OT stories, the visible and invisible church, salvation through grace, predestination of the elect, and just war theory. Augustine also thought that it is appropriate to incorporate the best of philosophy into Christian theology, comparing this to the Israelites plundering the riches of Egypt before departing through the exodus led by Moses.
[i] Tertullian, “Prescription against Heretics,” tr. Peter Holmes, in Ante-Nicene Fathers, ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994): 8.
Leave a Reply