Ignatius of Antioch & Polycarp of Smyrna: A New Translation and Theological Commentary

by Kenneth J. Howell

Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna were two of the greatest leaders of Christianity in the first half of the second century. Both suffered martyrdom: Ignatius in Rome during the reign of Trajan, and Polycarp in Smyrna some time in the mid-century. The letters of Ignatius advance the teachings of Christ and the apostles on such important subjects as church unity, the Eucharist, and the governmental structure of the church. The Martydom of Polycarp represents one of the earliest and most inspiring accounts of a Christian martyr that we possess. Their combined writings provide a unique window on the faith, life and practice of Christians in the second century. Careful reading of these writings demonstrates the unique place that the early fathers of the church hold in establishing the foundations of historic Christianity. Their relevance for contemporary ecumenical discussions is beyond dispute.

Genres: Religion

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2009

About the author

Kenneth J. Howell, Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, is Director of the John Henry Cardinal Newman Institute of Catholic Thought and Adjunct Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Howell holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in the History of Christianity and Science from the University of Lancaster (U.K.).

A Presbyterian minister for eighteen years and a theological professor for seven years in a Protestant seminary, Dr. Howell was confirmed and received into the Catholic Church in 1996.

Dr. Howell is the author of several books, including: God’s Two Books: Copernican Cosmology and Biblical Interpretation in Early Modern Science (University of Notre Dame, 2002); Mary of Nazareth: Sign and Instrument of Christian Unity (Queenship Press,1998); and, Meeting Mary Learning Guide: Our Mother in Faith (Catholic Century), Ignatius of Antioch Polycarp of Smyrna Early Christian Fathers.

He and his wife, Sharon, have three children. They live in Champaign, Illinois.

Reviews

[Drake Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a valuable recent commentary on Ignatius. Kenneth Howell provides a concise introduction with essays on Ignatius' identity, his martyrdom, Christ and redemption, the church, the Eucharist, and Polycarp. He then provides a unique translation for Ignatius and Polycarp's letters. Some of the notes are provided for each chapter to make the letters more readable.

For those who are first reading Ignatius, this book can be very helpful. His comments read easily, but they are frequently brief. His work is a help for the first reader of these important church fathers.

As some have noticed about this commentary, Howell takes every Roman Catholic position such as Eucharist and church government. These are debated in the letters, and Howell does not represent the other side sufficiently. Also, other developments in Ignatian studies about the use of Scripture and his opponents are not developed. Readers of this commentary should be aware of some of these deficiencies.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

IGNATIUS of ANTIOCH & POLYCARP of SMYRNA is a complex and thorough study of the lives and letters of the two Saints in reference to their ministries. Ken Howell provides footnotes which validate and explain the subject matter and historical references within each letter. The biographies were interesting, exemplified models for spiritual growth. I preferred to read and meditate, study, and pray chapters in short segments as deep and profound insights in the lives of two important Saints of the early Catholic Church.

[Genni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ignatius draws heavily on the genius of Paul. So much so that at times it seems to be almost a paraphrase. Not that I
Blame him, but to the casual reader, they may dismiss his writings as irrelevant, seeming so similar. In reading carefully though, it seems to this amateur reader that there are a couple of focuses in Ignatius that differentiate him from Paul.

The first is a fascinating focus on the bishops and the presbytery. Ignatius is almost constantly exhorting the church to obey the bishop and clergy. The reason this is so interesting to me is because I grew up in an evangelical home. To read this writing that dates 30-40 years after Jerusalem fell, it strikes me that there is a heavy focus on church hierarchy, as is found in the Catholic church. What does this assumed position mean, so close after the NT writings?

The second focus is an almost obsession with martyrdom. Ignatius would probably say that I am reading him incorrectly and that his focus is on gaining Jesus Christ. Maybe. Although Paul was certainly willing to die, and did, Paul's maryrdom talk is mostly metaphorical for the "death" he experiences in this life. Ignatius is intense in his talk about physically going to Rome to die. Almost as though he were talking himself into it. The entire letter to the Romans is occupied thus.

Other than these, one thing that occurred to me was a curious lack of references to the "end times". Seriously, there was almost nothing. I found one and it went as follows:

"So, since I have seen the entire congregation in the aforementioned persons, I exhort you to be diligent to practice everything in harmony with God, as the bishop leads in the place of God and the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles and of the deacons-those sweetest to me-who have been entrusted with the service of Jesus Christ who was with the Father before all ages and has appeared at the end [of the world]."

Fascinating. For Ignatius, The end of the world, or ages, was when Christ came, past tense. Something to file away for future reference concerning preterism.

Concerning this specific edition, Kenneth Howell provides a few short essays at the beginning on the book that are useful in providing context for the letters.

For anyine interested in the early church fathers and their view of Scriptures.

[Mina · Rating 2 out of 5]

St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp's writings are truly important to the understanding of early Christianity. It is sad however, that the author took every chance he got at proclaiming the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church in his commentaries. It has really undermined his credibility, and even his translations of the actual texts.

I do not recommend reading this book or any other book by Dr. Kenneth. I have read two of his books so far, and he takes a very biased view in his interpretations, and possibly in his translations.

[Sherri Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first introduction to the Fathers. I am surprised at how well it bridges from Paul's writings to the later writings of the Church. Perhaps I shouldn't be. I am looking forward to continuing learning from the Fathers and making my way forward I. Time through the life of the Church.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good translation of these two post-Apostolic fathers. Copious footnotes and introductory materials explain Howell's translation choices and offers alternate translations as well.