The Truth About Sacred Texts and Sacred Men in the Early Church

I mentioned in my last post that I've listened to Andy Stanley's most recent sermon, titled Recycled, three times.  One of the things I found so frustrating about the sermon, among many things I found frustrating, was his distorted presentation of church history.  It would be impossible to give a comprehensive treatment of the history of the church in 30 minutes, but Stanley made several statements that are demonstrably false.  

Particularly troubling was his insistence that for the first three hundred years of the church, sacred men and sacred texts were uninportant in the church. The truth is the opposite. In the earliest non-Scriptural writings, the church fathers repeatedly quoted and referenced the Scriptures, and directed Chrsitians to obey their pastors. 

I've been reading the church fathers this year, and below are some quotes from the very earliest non-Apostolic church fathers.  Though not inspired Scripture, these writings give us a clear picture of what the early church actually believed and practiced.  Included below are quotes from Clement of Rome in his epistle to the Corinthian church, "Mathetes" (a disciple) of the Apostles to Diognetus, Polycarp to the Philippians, and Ignatius to the Ephesians and Magnesians.

Clement of Rome to the Church in Corinth

These are only three brief quotes from a very long letter, but even in these few words we see Clement instructing the Corinthians to submit to the authority of the presbyters (pastors) and to look carefully into the Scriptures, which are true utterances of the Holy Spirit.  You can't read more than a few sentences of Clement without finding a direct quote of the Scriptures or a reference.

Mathetes to Diognetus

Notice the doctrinal richness? Although Mathetes is not quoting a passage of Scripture here, he is compiling numerous phrases that do come directly from the Scriptures, Old Testament and New.  For this anonymous disciple the faith was grounded not in loving actions, but in the truth drawn from  Scripture.

Polycarp to the Church in Philippi

Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John, the beloved disciple who wrote one of the gospels, three epistles, and the book of Revelation.  Notice that Polycarp directly quotes 1 John 4:2 as authoritative truth.  Notice that Polycarp, a disciple of one of Jesus' twelve, taught that were beliefs that a person must hold to in order to be Christian - among them humanity of Christ, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the coming judgment (Hell).  

Ignatius to the Church in Ephesus

Ignatius to the Magnesians

Ignatius, like Polycarp, was a disciple of John.  He was only one person removed from the words of Jesus.  Ignatius taught a respect for and obedience to church leaders that far exceeds anything ever practiced in America.  The problem in the American church is not giving too much authority to and trust in men who have studied and shown themselves approved, we give too little respect and obedience compared with the early church.  We also see Ignatius teaching that both beliefs and actions are important in the life of a Christian.  

Putting it Together

These are just a few selected writings of the early church.  It is true that the early church was known by outsiders for their love.  I can't remember the source, but it was recorded by one outsider that the Christians not only cared for their own poor, but also the poor outside the church.  Inside though, the church was characterized by study and teaching of the Old Testament and New and leadership by faithful men who were given an elevated position of authority.

Sacred texts and sacred men are not a corruption of the true faith.  They have been the foundation of the church from the earliest days of its existence.