The Writings of Ignatius and Polycarp

by Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Graham Harter

This book presents a modernized text of two of the most important writers of early- to mid-second century Christianity, both martyred for their faith.Ignatius, bishop of the church of Antioch, wrote six letters to various churches, plus a seventh to his friend Polycarp, whilst travelling in chains from Syria to Rome around A.D. 107 to be killed by beasts in the arena for the crime of being a Christian. These letters, urging their readers to continue in the orthodox Christian faith, are full of the pathos of a man knowing he is soon to die and embracing the life to come.His friend Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor, who was martyred much later — around A.D. 155 — has left us one letter to the church at Philippi. Also included here is the authentic and moving record of his martyrdom. Who can fail to be touched by the aged man standing firm in his faith as he declares, “Eighty-six years have I served him, and he never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”The translation presented here is a revised and modernized re-wording of the translation of these epistles found in Alexander Roberts, D.D., James Donaldson, LL.D., and A. Cleveland Coxe, D.D. (eds.), ‘The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus’ (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, and Wm. B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, reprinted 1996).

121 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2019

About the author

"Ignatius of Antioch (Ancient Greek: Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας, Ignátios Antiokheías; ad c. 35 or 50 – 98 to 117), also known as Ignatius Theophorus (Ιγνάτιος ὁ Θεοφόρος, Ignátios ho Theophóros, lit. "the God-bearing"), was an Apostolic Father and the third bishop of Antioch. He was reputedly a student of John the Apostle. En route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom by being fed to wild beasts, he wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology. Important topics addressed in these letters include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of bishops."

-- Wikipedia

Reviews

[richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Writings of Ignatius and Polycarp (Early Christian Writings) ~ Graham Harter

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

These early Christians knew the apostle John and were among early converts of Christianity. What's very interesting is to read what the early Christians actually believed. In these letters it's clear that we share the same faith today as in Jesus being God, certainly Ignatius believed this, we get the Trinity in their writings. So much in these letters and worth reading. These two men were martyrs for their faith in Jesus and delighted in being found worthy to suffer for Christ. May their memory always be a blessing to the church.