Blog Search Results

Lent: Day 4 - Polycarp to the Philippians

...who teach Docetism (the belief that Jesus's humanity was an illusion), quoting 1 John 4 and calling them the “firstborn of Satan”, plus some grieving for one of the church leaders who fell into sin. Polycarp also included some letters from Ignatius with this one, which were highly commended to be read and passed on amongst the churches. Overall, this letter feels very familiar and is just as encouraging as the Pauline letters we read in the New Testament, well worth at least one read through in full....

Lent: Day 5 - Ignatius to the Ephesians

...combating Docetism like Polycarp's letter also did. But whereas Polycarp referenced 1 John 4, Ignatius gives us an early glimpse of the view of Christ's deity and dual nature: There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first passible and then impassible, even Jesus Christ our Lord … God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. Considering the date of this letter, this in itself is a good apologetic against more recent false claims that Jesus was only “made” divine at the Council of Nicea, when the gathered bish...