Apostolic Fathers

Collection of writings with a great diversity among themselves in genre [letters of an individual to a community (Ign, Pol), to another individual (Ign to Pol), from comm. to another comm. (1 Clem); ethical-theological treatises (Bar), apocalyptical (Her), church orders (Did), fragments of lost writings (Pap, Quad), sermon (2 Clem)], themes, communitarian structure, life, whose authors were traditionally believe to have been followers or companions of the apostles. Gathered in 1672 by JB Cotelier in “Fathers that flourished in the apostolic period” (Bar, Her, 1-2Cor, Ign, Pol). In the 19c were added Diog, Pap,, Quad and eventually Did. Diognetus belongs actually to later apologetic literature. It is the subapostolic period [90-160]: contemporaneous to the writings of the NT and Apocrypha.

Common features are that they deal with issues of Christian life and existence, pervaded with language marked by worship and kerygma. They are exhortations to Christian life (this is not, however, a reduction to ethics, but also have mystical dimension). Rationale for our writings is the transmission and conservation of the apostolic tradition and development of structures & norms that promote the unity of Christians in the imitation of Christ. The world outside is not a dialogue partner. Neither is there a positive attitude towards the world. Authority is based on service to the community. Dangers. Multiplicity and diversity.

Didache

Western Syria/ Ant. First Church order; composite of earlier materials. First half 2c? A. ethical (1-6: two ways) B. liturgical practices (6-11: b-euc) C.(12-15: community & leadership) D. (16: eschatology). Ancient manual of instruction for early catechumens. Eventual exclusion from mainstream Christianity. In the NT there is no work that parallels Didache.

Ignatius

(ca 113) Recensions – style (hasty, personal, breathless, inelegant). Paul & John Topics: unity, bishop, Eucharist, antidocetic and judaizing. Collected by Polycarp with a cover letter to the church of Philippi.

Pol

(Letter to Philipians in 14 ch. Cover letter for letters of Ign. 2 letters? 105-135. Dikaiosu,nh –docetism

MPol

(From Smyrna 22 ch, 2 mss traditions. Parallels X’s passion [template], hostile to Judaism)

1Clem

(Letter in 65 ch. Pb with leaders in Corinth. Author (Clem?) persecution under Nero or better Domitian. Core: chain of apostolic authority. Topics: piety, hospitality, humility, peace)

Hermas

Hermas (complex Christian apocalypse written in stages from 90 to 150. 114 chapters in 3 sections (5 visions, 12 mandates, 10 simmilitudines). Vision 1-4 independent eschatological apocalypse. Vision 5-Sim 10: the angel of repentance in the guise of a shepherd becomes Hermas’ supernatural guide. Portrait of Rome first half 2c; less concerned with eschatology than the question on another repentance. Because of its ethical rigorism and implicit claim to divine inspiration it was very popular in 2-3c.)

Barnabas

(Alexandria, 70-135. treatise on biblical exegesis in order to dissociate Christianity from Judaism. Compilation of 1-17 [Jud – Xtianity] and 18-21 [two ways]. The author is a Jewish convert. Tractate or homily. Core: God’s covenant transferred to Christians. Use of testimonia. Themes: hope – righteousness – love)

2Clem

(High xtology. Alex? Rome? Soter? 20 ch. Audience: non-Jess. Consummation of the world [15-20])

Pap

(collection of fragmentarian materials. “Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord”. Contribution: development of NT literature [Mk – Peter; Mat in Hb])