Difference between revisions of "Ante-Nicene Fathers"

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The '''Ante-Nicene Fathers''' are those writings of the early Church fathers from the beginning of [[Christianity]] to the time of the creation of the [[Nicene Creed]]. Includes [[Polycarp of Smyrna|Polycarp]], [[Tertullian]], [[Africanus|Julius Africanus]], [[Ignatius of Antioch|Ignatius]], [[Origen]], [[Clement of Rome|Clement]] and more.
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The '''Ante-Nicene Fathers''' are those early Church fathers (and their associated writings) from the beginning of [[Christianity]] to the time of the creation of the [[Nicene Creed]] (the prefix "ante" means "before"). People in this category include [[Polycarp of Smyrna|Polycarp]], [[Tertullian]], [[Africanus|Julius Africanus]], [[Ignatius of Antioch|Ignatius]], [[Origen]], and [[Clement of Rome|Clement]].
  
The Ante-Nicene Fathers represent Christian doctrine of the first centuries after the New Testament.  
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The writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers are the subject of controversy within Christianity.  Supporters contend that the positions held by the Fathers represent Christian doctrine of the first centuries after the New Testament, and are thus presupposed by certain [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] to be uncorrupted by later distortions and departures introduced by heretics and apostates.  When there was conflict about the truly catholic and orthodox interpretation of the Scriptures, theologians sought backing for their position in the writings of "the Fathers". By this they meant teachers of an earlier era who demonstrated how the apostolic scriptures were understood and applied by the apostles and their immediate successors.
  
When there was conflict about the truly catholic and orthodox interpretation of the Scriptures, all sought backing for their position in the writings of "the Fathers". By this they meant teachers of an earlier era who demonstrated how the apostolic scriptures were understood and applied by the apostles and their immediate successors.
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However, opponents (primarily within [[Fundamentalism]]) point to doctrines in the writings of the Fathers which they argue support [[Catholicism|Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[dogma]]s, as evidence of a very early departure from New Testament truth which began immediately after the death of the last of the apostles of Jesus (see [[Great Apostasy]]).
 
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These writings are thus presupposed by the majority of [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] to be uncorrupted by later distortions and departures introduced by heretics and apostates.
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[[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]] point to doctrines in the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers which clearly support [[Catholicism|Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[dogma]]s as evidence of a very early departure from New Testament truth which began immediately after the death of the last of the apostles of Jesus (see [[Great Apostasy]]).
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==See also==
 
==See also==
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* [http://thegreatapostasy.com/ The Apostasy: An Era of Spiritual Darkness (thegreatapostasy.com)].  
 
* [http://thegreatapostasy.com/ The Apostasy: An Era of Spiritual Darkness (thegreatapostasy.com)].  
  
[[Category:Christianity]]
 
 
[[Category:Christian History]]
 
[[Category:Christian History]]
 
[[Category:Christian Apologetics]]
 
[[Category:Christian Apologetics]]
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[[Category:Protestantism]]
 
[[Category:Protestantism]]
 
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
 
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Bible]]
 

Revision as of 21:43, October 10, 2018

The Ante-Nicene Fathers are those early Church fathers (and their associated writings) from the beginning of Christianity to the time of the creation of the Nicene Creed (the prefix "ante" means "before"). People in this category include Polycarp, Tertullian, Julius Africanus, Ignatius, Origen, and Clement.

The writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers are the subject of controversy within Christianity. Supporters contend that the positions held by the Fathers represent Christian doctrine of the first centuries after the New Testament, and are thus presupposed by certain Christian apologists to be uncorrupted by later distortions and departures introduced by heretics and apostates. When there was conflict about the truly catholic and orthodox interpretation of the Scriptures, theologians sought backing for their position in the writings of "the Fathers". By this they meant teachers of an earlier era who demonstrated how the apostolic scriptures were understood and applied by the apostles and their immediate successors.

However, opponents (primarily within Fundamentalism) point to doctrines in the writings of the Fathers which they argue support Catholic and Orthodox dogmas, as evidence of a very early departure from New Testament truth which began immediately after the death of the last of the apostles of Jesus (see Great Apostasy).

See also

Epistles of Ignatius

Apostolic Fathers

Apostolic succession

Heresy

Apostasy

Great Apostasy

Ecumenical council

Bible

Biblical Canon

Deuterocanonicals

Anagignoskomena

Apocrypha

Encyclical

Protestant Reformation

External links