THE
HISTORY OF SOME EARLY APOSTLES
(continued)
written by Andrew Corbett
LEADING
FIGURES
POST-NICENE
FATHERS
Of
the Post-Nicene Fathers, there were several key leaders who
made a godly contribution to the Church’s leadership. Many
of these leaders committed themselves to the study of the
Scriptures. Those of the Eastern Church are referred to as
belonging to the Alexandrian and Antiochene
schools of interpretation.
w
Corbett, Legana, Tasma
John
the Chrysostomos (golden mouthed c.350-407)
is generally referred to as simply Chrysostom. He was
baptised in 367; ordained a deacon in 381; ordained a priest
in 386; then ordained the Bishop of Constantinople. Prior
to his ordinations he lived as a monk in the mountains. After
his ordination as a Bishop (Patriarch) he met opposition from
the State due to his forthright preaching against corruption
both in the Church and politics. He died being persecuted
while being exiled.
Theodore
(350-428) became bishop of Mopsuestia, Cilicia, in 392. He has been called the prince
of the ancient exegetes. This is because of his extensive
writing of Bible commentaries with an exegetical approach
which placed an emphasis upon historical context, grammar,
and immediate context. He refuted much of the popular allegorical
extremism. Some of his theology was controversial. For example
he could not seem to grasp the compatibility of Christ’s dual
natures (God and man), and taught that Christ’s humanity was
absorbed by His divine nature.
Eusebius
(c. 265 -339) is often referred to as the Father of Church
History. Eusebius was the bishop of Palestinian
Caesarea, and played an important role in the Arian Controversy.
He soon befriended Emperor Constantine and sought to reconcile
the opposing parties in the Arian Controversy since Constantine
was eager to have a united Empire and a united Church. Eusebius
wanted to make concessions to Arius, but eventually Athanasius
was able to sway the Council. Eusebius’ greatest contribution
to the Church, though, has been his recording of Church history
from the time of the original apostles to his day. He regarded
Constantine’s conversion as a divine act ensuring the spread
of Christianity.
In
the West...
Jerome
(347-419) was born near Aquileia, studied in Rome, and lived
out his life in Bethlehem. His relationship with the local
Greek church was often strained by his open criticism of them. He
was a staunch defender of the emerging Roman Catholic church
with its beliefs in the perpetual virginity of Mary, priestly
celibacy, and saint adoration. He became the secretary to
Damasus, the Bishop of Rome, in 382, who suggested to him
that he make a new translation of the Bible into Latin. He
is most well known for this translation, called the Vulgate.
He lived for 35 years in Bethlehem as an ascetic monk, and
championed this lifestyle in his later writings.
Ambrose
(340-397) commenced his working life as a political administrator.
He rose to the position of Imperial Governor of the
area around the city of Milan. When the Bishop of Milan died,
the people of the city wanted Ambrose to take that position.
He did. He renounced his political office, gave his money
to the poor, and began a study of the Scriptures and theology.
He became a fearless Bishop, and a bold preacher (Augustine
was converted under his ministry). He introduced congregational
singing of hymns and antiphonal psalmody into the Western
Church.
Augustine
(354-430) was born in Algeria. His mother, Monica, was a devout
Christian, tried to influence Augustine into Christianity
to no avail. At his own admission he committed every sin he
could throughout his early life (based on his book: Confessions).
He embraced a philosophy of Dualism (Manichaeism) where
he viewed the world as subject to two equally opposing forces.
In 383 he left for Rome with his mistress and son to embark
on a teaching career (he was to teach rhetoric). This proved
financially unviable, so he moved to Milan. By this time he
had too many unanswered questions about the universe for his
Dualistic philosophy to answer. He befriended the Bishop of
Milan, Ambrose, who answered his questions and led him to
faith in Christ.
Let us
behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension
and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires
of the sinful nature.
(Romans 13:14 NIV)
It
was the above Scripture that arrested Augustine after a stint
of scepticism following his conversion. He returned to North
Africa, after separating from his mistress, with his son who
died shortly after their return there. He devoted himself
to writing. He was ordained a priest in 391, and then made
the Bishop of Hippo Regius in 395. He is generally regarded
by both Protestants and Roman Catholics as one of the greatest
apologists of the Church.
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