Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
Here's some passages from Ignatius - who was contemporary of the Apostle John's ...
I may be wrong, but I imagine everyone (on these boards, at least) disagrees with this sort of view of church authority. Yet this sort of perversion arguably was occurring during the life of the apostle John, and argued for by a co-worker of John's.
It is at least worth the question: "What is it about human nature that leans toward this sort of perversion?"
|
Ignatius' views concerning the authority vested in the bishop were no doubt radical for his time and helped to set the stage for Rome's later dominance under the "Bishop of Rome." Here is another even more shocking quote from Ignatius, written at the same time, on the eve of his martyrdom.
Quote:
|
But He is my witness, for whose sake I am in bonds, that I knew nothing from any man; but the Spirit spake, saying on this wise: Do nothing without the bishop, keep your bodies as the temples of God; love unity; flee divisions; be the followers of Christ, as He was of His Father.
|
These kinds of teachings, especially the final words of an aged Christian of such respect traveling to the Coliseum to meet His Maker, have fueled the abuses of evil men for thousands of years. This is why we cling to the scriptures and not the church fathers, whether they be Ignatius or Athanasius.