In the Scriptures we have the examples of Jesus, his disciples, and the apostles; so, why do we need to learn about Patristics? Well, patristics is the study of the orthodox fathers. The founding fathers were faced with building a church community based on scripture. Then, with the rise of Gnosticism, Marcionism, Montanism, and Monarchianism, the church founders were forced to clarify the truths of the Bible. Of course, these heresies lead many astray, but the founding fathers dispelled those ideals. The works of the founding fathers rendered much less harmful effects and a closer to true set of beliefs for all Christians. The reorganization of the churches finally lead to the building of our canon. The canon of the Old and New Testament was officially formed and still impacts us today!
One of the most important founding fathers was Irenaeus. Irenaeus lived and taught around 185 AD. Irenaeus was a disciple of Paul, bishop of France, and first Christian author. His mission was to expose the darkness of the Gnosticism and bring people to the light by leading them to Christ. In his writings we can learn about the fundamentals of church organization and how to teach people how to live a Christian life. He like Christians today should expose the foolishness of heresies. For example, one heresy Irenaeus wanted to kill was the use of the law to keep people in bondage. Still today, many people do not understand the importance of grace and the law. Just as our founding fathers we need to bring unity and peace to the church.
What is the Nicene Creed and what role does it play in the history of Christian thought? According to Ayres, Lewis, “the Nicene Creed is a statement of belief widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because it was originally adopted in the city of Nicaea by the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople, and the amended form is referred to as the Nicene or the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.” As part of the Nicene Creed we believe in one constant and existing God! He is the Creator of heaven and earth! God is also everlasting, omnipotent, and holy. As Christian we rest in faith and believe that the one God eternally exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Further scriptural evidence exists in the following: Matthew 3:16, 17; Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:14. Hence, if one does not believe in the Trinity would that make them a heretic? Yes, if a Christian does not believe in trinity and perhaps believes in three Gods that would make them heretics. The belief in three Gods is a heresy described as Tritheism. Secondly, there is another group of people that believes that the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are three “forms,” For example, to explain God those that believe as Modalism would describe the god’s as, a steam, the water and ice. Thirdly, Christians believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one; while, the third group of heretics believe god has “parts” or “pieces” creating different beings. There belief would imply that Jesus is 1/3rd God, the Father is 1/3rd God, and the Holy Spirit is 1/3rd God.
After the Nicene Creed, the church members meet at The Council of Chalcedon’s. During this time the idea of the trinity were still not at rest. Some agreement on the identity of God was secure, but as for Jesus the council was reasoning with one another. This council did believe that their were divisions of the trinity. How we understand and view the trinity should be important to Christians, because we should not just take someone’s word as truth. We should always study the scriptures and consultant the Holy Spirit in order to understand all things.
The founding fathers have succeeded in holding their convictions. None of the founding fathers went back on their word. The views and beliefs of our orthodox fathers have greatly influenced our church denotations today. For example, the last two catholic popes meet and reinstated the Nicene Creed. In addition, their stances on the trinity of God still hold fast today! Finally, church authority and laws are used in many countries and even still some in the United States.
Ayres, Lewis (2006). Nicaea and Its Legacy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-875505-8.
