Reflections on Christian Life and Doctrine from Early Church Writings
This post explores insights gleaned from early Christian writings, focusing on practical exhortations and theological perspectives that offer valuable lessons for contemporary readers. We'll examine excerpts from letters and treatises, shedding light on the beliefs and practices of the early Church.
Exhortations to Holiness and Good Order
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philippians provides practical advice applicable to Christian living. It urges believers to "lay aside, every one of you, all malice and beast-like fury, evil-speaking, calumny, filthy speaking, ribaldry, whispering, arrogance, drunkenness, lust, avarice, vainglory, envy, and everything akin to these." Instead, the letter encourages readers to "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." This call for personal transformation highlights the importance of moral purity and self-control within the Christian community.
Furthermore, Ignatius emphasizes the importance of hierarchical order, stating, "Ye presbyters, be subject to the bishop; ye deacons, to the presbyters; and ye, the people, to the presbyters and the deacons." This structure reflects the early Church's understanding of leadership and submission, aiming for harmony and unity within the body of believers.
Relative Duties and Community Life
Expanding on practical Christian living, the same epistle outlines relative duties within families and the broader community. Husbands are exhorted to love their wives, and wives to love their husbands. Parents are instructed to "bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The letter also encourages honoring those who remain in virginity as "priestesses of Christ," and widows who demonstrate gravity of behavior as "the altar of God." Servants should wait upon their masters with respect, and masters should issue orders with tenderness. The overarching principle is that "no one among you be idle; for idleness is the mother of want." These guidelines emphasize the importance of diligence, respect, and mutual care within the Christian community and household.
Addressing Misconceptions and Seeking Fair Judgment
The writings also reveal the challenges faced by early Christians in a world often hostile to their beliefs. In one passage, early Christians claimed that "you can kill, but not hurt us," expressing a belief in the spiritual resilience and ultimate triumph of faith even in the face of persecution.
Further, these writings demand that accusations against Christians be investigated fairly. As stated, "if these be substantiated, they be punished as they deserve; [or rather, indeed, we ourselves will punish them.] But if no one can convict us of anything, true reason forbids you, for the sake of a wicked rumour, to wrong blameless men." The appeal for rational judgment and equitable treatment underscores the importance of justice and due process, even for those who were often marginalized and misunderstood.
Christ's Role and the Continuity of Reason
Justin Martyr highlights a crucial aspect of early Christian theology, asserting that "Christ is the first-born of God, and we have declared above that He is the Word of whom every race of men were partakers; and those who lived reasonably are Christians, even though they have been thought atheists." This inclusive perspective suggests that individuals who lived according to reason and virtue, even before the time of Christ, were, in essence, aligned with the principles of Christianity. Examples provided include Socrates, Heraclitus, Abraham, and others. This passage bridges the gap between pre-Christian philosophy and the Christian faith, emphasizing the universality of reason and its connection to the divine Word.