This podcast features readings of some of the earliest letters and documents of the Christian faith. The Early Church Fathers were those men who lived as contemporaries to, students of or inheritors of the Apostles, the friends of and disciples of Jesus Christ. This podcast exists to bring the Early Church Fathers to the podcast world as a source of encouragement. Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, this "bonus" episode sets aside the current readings of the Early Church Fathers to spend time with St. Patrick's Confession. He is believed to have died on March 17th, 465 AD. The "Confession" is an autobiographical account of the events that took him to Ireland to preach the Gospel and convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. This episode ends with St. Patrick's prayer.
24 Feb 2023
Ep. 18: Justin Martyr On the Sole Government of God
Justin Martyr was a Christian philosopher (otherwise known as theologian) who lived in the first half of the 2nd century. Justin Martyr was a learned man deeply familiar with the literary works, religious icons and philosophical arguments of his day. This is especially evident in this episode where he uses the great thinkers and writers of his day to convince his audience that the Christian God is not just superior to the Greek gods, but is actually the only true God.
7 Jan 2023
Ep. 17: Justin Martyr On Resurrection
Justin Martyr was a Christian philosopher (otherwise known as theologian) who lived in the first half of the 2nd century. Justin Martyr was a learned man deeply familiar with the literary works, religious icons and philosophical arguments of his day. This is especially evident in this episode where he seeks to convince his audience of the veracity of a physical resurrection from the dead.
4 Jan 2023
Ep.16: Justin Martyr to the Greeks
Justin Martyr was a Christian philosopher (otherwise known as theologians) who lived in the first half of the 2nd century. Justin Martyr was a learned man deeply familiar with the literary works, religious icons and philosophical arguments of his day. This is especially evident in this episode where he attempts to elevate Christian morality in contradistinction to Greek morality as taught in their mythic stories. Justin Martyr contrasts the ethos of Christian teaching with the hypocritical mentalities of the Greeks and invites his audience to engage with the Biblical writings as supernaturally inspired Words of God.
9 Jun 2022
Ep. 15: The Apology of Aristides
The Apology of Aristides is an early Christian apology (ancient Greek: apologia, a reasoned argument in defense of something) dated to be somewhere in the 2nd century. It was believed to be mid-to-late 100s AD until recent discoveries changed this. Both the Apology and the church historian Eusebius claim that this apology was delivered to the Emperor Hadrian (possibly in person or in writing). In it, Aristides compares the religions of the known world in contrast to Christianity. He claims that the God of the Christians is logically the only true God and that Christianity, in living out the truth of who their God has revealed himself to be, is the only true religion.
7 Jun 2022
Ep. 14: The Epistle of Diognetus
The Epistle of Diognetus is one of the first Christian apologetic writings. The text is dated to be around the mid-100s AD. The word 'apology' in modern use has deviated from its original definition. In ancient Greek (and subsequently ancient Latin), an apologia was a reasoned argument in defense of something. It is thought that Diognetus was the intended recipient, however, the name for the author - 'Mathetes,' is translated as 'student.' It's likely that this was not the author's name but a self-described title.
4 Jun 2022
Ep. 13: The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Polycarp was an overseer of the church at Smyrna and an influential second century Christian leader. He died in 155 AD. This letter was written by the Christian eyewitnesses of Polycarp's martyrdom in Smyrna. It was intended to be disseminated throughout the known churches as an encouragement for all those who knew Polycarp and for those who may end up following the same course.
2 Jun 2022
Ep. 12: The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
Polycarp was a late first century, early second century Christian and overseer of the church at Smyrna. He is said to have known the Apostle John in his younger years and Irenaeus in his older years. This epistle is written to the church at Philippi where he makes many references to canonical New Testament Scripture and Paul's writings as authoritative. He encourages the Christians at Philippi to study Paul's original letter to them in order to better understand their faith in Christ.
31 May 2022
Ep. 11: Ignatius to the Church of Magnesia on the Maeander
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
29 May 2022
Ep. 10: Ignatius to the Church at Tralles
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
27 May 2022
Ep. 9: Ignatius to the Church at Rome
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
25 May 2022
Ep. 8: Ignatius to the Magnesians
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
23 May 2022
Ep. 7: Igantius to the Ephesians
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
6 May 2022
Ep. 6: Ignatius to the Church at Philadelphia
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
5 May 2022
Ep. 5: Ignatius to the Church at Smyrna
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. The Epistle to the Smyrnaens was written to the church that his friend and contemporary, Polycarp, led. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
5 May 2022
Ep. 4: Ignatius to Polycarp
Igantius of Antioch was an early Church father born shortly after Christ's death and dying shortly into the second century. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and likely discipled by the Apostle John along with his friend, Polycarp. This letter forms one of several written while Ignatius was being transported to Rome by order of Emperor Trajan. Knowing his martyrdom was at hand, he writes, "Now I begin to be a disciple. … Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment … come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ."
2 May 2022
Ep. 3: The First Epistle of Clement
The First Epistle of Clement to the Christians gathered in Corinth is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, non-canonical Christian writing. Some date it to before 70AD based on Clement's reference to the Temple worship in the present tense. Most argue he wrote this letter at the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd century. He writes on similar topics to that of St. Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, likely in reference to a different set of circumstances. The Second Epistle of Clement is largely considered to be written by someone else. We will include it as a recording at a later date.
28 Apr 2022
Ep. 2: The Letter of Barnabas
Written shortly before the end of the first century or else in the beginning of the 2nd, the Letter of Barnabas is now believed to be written by a different Barnabas than the one who joined Paul on his missionary journeys. This letter bears similarities to both the Didache as well as the Shepherd of Hermas, all three of which could likely have been written around the same time.
26 Apr 2022
Ep. 1: The Didache
The Didache may be one of the earliest Christian writings believed by some to be written around 50AD. Other suggestions spread as far as 150AD. It was even considered canonical for a brief period of time. Regardless of the time of it's writing, it is among the earliest. Originally lost for centuries, it was rediscovered in a Constaintinople monastery in 1873. It bears many similarities to Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and the sending of the seventy.
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