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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Continuity with the apostles,
By Baroque Norseman (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ante Nicene Fathers, Volume 1: Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus (Hardcover)
A collection of the earliest post-Apostolic writings. While not theologically on the level of a later Augustine or Gregory, these writings are immensely valuable in giving a snapshot of the earliest worship and doctrine in the Church.
St Ignatius is the most important in the first part of the book. Having received the doctrine from the apostles, he clarifies the role of Bishop and Eucharist in the Church. This will set the stage for many of St Irenaeus's clinching arguments against the gnostics (e.g., apostolic succession). Justin Martyr is the next leader examined. Legend has it, and I see no reason to dismiss it, that Apollos of the New Testament converted Justin from Platonic philosophy to Christianity (and of course, a Christianized Platonism). Justin's work is valuable in showing the first major response to learned critics (and perhaps embarrassing Christians today by showing that Judaism has always been a staunch enemy of Christianity, even on Judaism's own terms). St Irenaeus of Lyons receives the most attention, given that *Adversus Haerisis* is the longest work. St Irenaeus is particularly difficult to read. He is dealing with Gnosticism, which like today's feminism and New Age movement, is painfully dense and laborious. Only the most heroic of readers can wade through this part (Books 1 and 2). I didn't. Book 3 is a bit more concrete and begin St Irenaeus' actual rebuttal. St Irenaeus uses a number of internal critiques against the Gnostics. They accept the testimony of the Scriptures to some degree, so Irenaeus shows how the implications of their beliefs either contradict the Scriptures or lead to absurdities. Books 4 and 5 begin and end with a positive presentation of Christian doctrine. Key to his argument has been his assumption of "apostolic succession." Given that anybody can marshal scripture references, the only way to dodge the impasse (Mexican stand off) his for one to show that they have continuity--physical, historically verifiable continuity with the apostles. Irenaeus sets forth an apostolic succession and an apostolic canon (or the beginnings of one, anyway. And for what it's worth, Irenaeus accepts the validity of the deutero-canonical LXX). The book is dense and makes for difficult reading. His style isn't the smoothest and even with the best of writers, his subject matter is particularly painful (but then again, he is refuting heresy and heresy is always drab and boring). Still, this entire volume is a snapshot into the life of the earliest post-apostolic church.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for those in the Apostolic Church!,
This review is from: Ante Nicene Fathers, Volume 1: Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus (Hardcover)
Volume One of the Ante-Nicene Fathers is indispensable to any Catholic's library. It contains the only remaining writings of the three men we know of that met and conversed with the Holy Apostles, Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome,and Polycarp. Irenaeus' 5 part 'Against Heresies' is reprinted in it's entirety along with the writings of Justin Martyr,Barnabas,Papias,and the Epistle of Barnabas. This is a reprint volume from the 1880's translated by protestant clergy...which makes it ever so much more joyful to read time and time again of the Eucharist,the apostolic succession,and the primacy of the Roman Church. They must be given credit for deciding not to fudge some sentences here and there to further their theological cause,for many instances are available for them to do so. Mr Coxe must have been a hardcore Anglican indeed not to be bothered by the obvious Catholic proofs scattered throughout the books. The books are testaments to the faith of the early Fathers,knowing full well they would die for speaking the truth of Christ,they decided to scream it.It is a good chuckle to see how Justin tells off the Emperor Antonius Pius,leaving no doubt as to how the 'Martyr' was tacked onto his name. One important modern issue for Christians of all sorts is the repeated mentions and denunciations of abortion. Abortion or 'exposing of children' (giving birth but leaving them on a hill side to be eaten by animals or picked up by pimps) was a common day practice in the Roman Empire and is mentioned in Justin Martyr,Barnabas,and Diognetus. Anti-abortion and death penalty writing are mentioned in the epistle of Athanagoras and the Didache which sadly are not included in this volume,the Didache not even be rediscovered a decade after the original publishing of this work in the 1880's. A must read for any Christian who seeks to learn the true faith through it's earliest links to the 12 Apostles.
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