Apostolic Fathers · AD 90–150
Ignatius of Antioch
c. 35–110 · Early Church · Antioch
Bishop of Antioch whose seven commonly accepted letters were written while he was being taken to Rome as a prisoner.
Major contributions
Bishops, Eucharist, Christology
- His letters are early witnesses to Christian worship and church organization.
- Opposed views that denied the reality of Christ’s embodied life and suffering.
Theological positions
Modern labels do not always describe historical writers precisely.
- Ecclesiology
His letters emphasize unity with the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
- Communion
Smyrnaeans 7 associates the Eucharist with the flesh of Jesus Christ.
Major writings
- Seven Letters (to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and Polycarp)