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Originally Posted by PeterG
Apparently, you mean by early church the time of the "Apostolic Fathers". So, not Irenaeus and Tertullian anymore?
I used to want to view the second generation so positively, too. And I thought: Wow, they were so close. They must be good. Until I read them carefully myself. Then I thought: Wow, that's exactly what Paul meant. Notice that he is talking about those who follow after him. Not about some Docetists. It's Ignatius who argues against them.
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Jude 1:4
For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Here Jude literally says that some of these false Christians are among us and perverted grace as a license for sin and they are destined for destruction.
I don't think Ignatius perverted grace or taught any doctrine worthy of being labeled a wolf. Why do you think Ignatius was a wolf and hence a bad tree destined for fire? (Matthew 7:15-20). He never called people to follow him and said his authority was limited.
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“I do not issue orders to you as if I were someone important. For even though I am in chains for the Name, I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ. For now, I am only beginning to be a disciple, and I am speaking to you as my fellow disciples.”
— Magnesians 15:1
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