Early Christian Tension With Judaism

We turn in our reading of the patristics to Ignatius, who evidently wrote these letters on his march to Rome to be martyred — sometime during Trajan’s reign. We don’t know much about Ignatius until these letters and in the middle of his trip — somewhere around Philippi — the story of his life is lost. The tradition is that he died in Rome.

In our series on the patristic writings, we use the text Michael Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers.

Ignatius has emphasized unity with the bishop and elders, and here he moves to tension with Judaism. To live under the Torah is to walk from grace. Even the prophets were people of Christ.

Mag. 8:1    Do not be deceived by strange doctrines or antiquated myths, since they are worthless. For if we continue to live in accordance with Judaism, we admit that we have not received grace.  ² For the most godly prophets lived in accordance with Christ Jesus. This is why they were persecuted, being inspired as they were by his grace in order that those who are disobedient might be fully convinced that there is one God who revealed himself through Jesus Christ his Son, who is his Word that came forth from silence, who in every respect pleased the one who sent him.

Converts to Christ leave Judaism for Ignatius.

Mag. 9:1    If, then, those who had lived according to ancient practices came to the newness of hope, no longer keeping the sabbath but living in accordance with the Lord’s day, on which our life also arose through him and his death (which some deny), the mystery through which we came to believe, and because of which we patiently endure, in order that we may be found to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our only teacher,  ² how can we possibly live without him, whom even the prophets, who were his disciples in the Spirit, were expecting as their teacher? This is why the one for whom they rightly waited raised them from the dead when he came.

The exhortation is to follow Christ, and that means to no longer to “practice Judaism.”

Mag. 10:1    Therefore let us not be unaware of his goodness. For if he were to imitate the way we act, we are lost. Therefore, having become his disciples, let us learn to live in accordance with Christianity. For whoever is called by any other name than this one does not belong to God.  ² Throw out, therefore, the bad yeast, which has become stale and sour, and reach for the new yeast, which is Jesus Christ. Be salted with him, so that none of you become rotten, for by your odor you will be convicted.  ³It is utterly absurd to profess Jesus Christ and to practice Judaism. For Christianity did not believe in Judaism, but Judaism in Christianity, in which every tongue believed and was brought together to God.

Christ changed history.

Mag. 11:1    Now I write these things, my dear friends, not because I have learned that any of you are actually like that, but, as one who is less than you, I want to forewarn you not to get snagged on the hooks of worthless opinions but instead to be fully convinced about the birth and the suffering and the resurrection that took place during the time of the governorship of Pontius Pilate. These things were truly and most assuredly done by Jesus Christ, our hope, from which may none of you ever be turned aside.

Exhortations: Christ, following the Lord, love and faith, and be subject to the bishop.

Mag. 12:1    May I have joy in you in every respect—if, that is, I am worthy. For even though I am in chains, I cannot be compared to one of you who are at liberty. I know that you are not conceited, for you have Jesus Christ within you. Moreover, I know that when I praise you, you feel ashamed, as it is written: “The righteous one is his own accuser.”

Mag. 13:1    Be eager, therefore, to be firmly grounded in the precepts of the Lord and the apostles, in order that in whatever you do, you may prosper, physically and spiritually, in faith and love, in the Son and the Father and in the Spirit, in the beginning and at the end, together with your most distinguished bishop and that beautifully woven spiritual crown which is your council of presbyters and the godly deacons.  ² Be subject to the bishop and to one another, as Jesus Christ in the flesh was to the Father, and as the apostles were to Christ and to the Father, that there may be unity, both physical and spiritual.

Pray for me, Ignatius pleads.

Mag. 14:1    Knowing as I do that you are full of God, I have only briefly exhorted you. Remember me in your prayers, in order that I may reach God; remember also the church in Syria, of which I am not worthy to be called a member. For I need your united prayer and love in God, that the church in Syria may be judged worthy of being refreshed by the dew of your fervent prayers.

He’s in Smyrna with Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.

Mag. 15:1    The Ephesians greet you from Smyrna, from where I am writing you. They, like you, are here for the glory of God, and have refreshed me in every respect, together with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnaeans. All the other churches also greet you in honor of Jesus Christ. Farewell in godly harmony to you who possess an undivided spirit, which is Jesus Christ.