apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

376 EPISTLES OF S. IGNATIUS.
author goes on to convict these false teachers by the prophets whose
authority they themselves would accept. These very prophets anticipated
the dispensation of redemption and grace, and for this they
suffered persecution. They were inspired with this foreknowledge to
the end that unbelievers in these days might be convinced that there is
one God who revealed Himself through Jesus Christ His Son, His
Word who issued forth from Silence and fulfilled His Father's goodpleasure
in all things. Thus here, as in the Epistle to the Colossians
(i. 15 sq, ii. 8 sq), and again in the Pastoral Letters of S. Paul (i Tim.
ii.
5), the true doctrine of the Logos Incarnate, as the one only link between
the Creator and the creature, the one only Mediator between God
and man, is tacitly contrasted with these many
mediators whom the
angelologies and emanation-theories of these false teachers interposed
to span the gulf between the finite and the Infinite. Our author next
adverts to the fact that persons brought up in the practices of the law
had abandoned the observance of the sabbaths, and that even the
prophets had looked forward to Christ as their teacher. Incidentally
he mentions that Christ's death was denied by certain persons, obviously
meaning these Docetic teachers, as his language elsewhere clearly shows.
Then, after further charging his readers to put away the old and sour
leaven, and denouncing the inconsistency of Judaizing practices, he goes
on to inform them that he does not say these things, because he supposes
them to have gone astray in this way ;
but he wishes to forewarn them
against the snares of false opinion. They must be fully convinced of the
birth and passion and resurrection of Christ, for these things truly and
certainly came to pass. Clearly therefore the false teachers, who
inculcated Judaism, inculcated Docetism likewise. Thus, though he
speaks only of one heresy, yet, having begun by denouncing Judaizing
practices, he ends by denouncing Docetic opinions. There is no
escape from this conclusion. The one cannot be disentangled from the
other without the whole falling to pieces. They are web and woof of
the same fabric'.
In the other letter which deals directly with Judaism, the Epistle
to the Philadelphians, the inference is the same. In the opening he
congratulates his readers, because they 'rejoice in the passion and
resurrection of Christ without wavering, being fully convinced' of it.
He urges them to be united with their bishop and presbyters. Then,
after eulogising their bishop (§ i),
he warns them to avoid division and
false doctrine, and to abstain from baneful weeds— not
that he accuses
them of heresy, for hitherto they have kept themselves clear.
They
^
See also the notes on the passage, 11. p. 124 sq.