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Tag: Early Church Fathers

Eusebius of Caesarea

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

Who was Eusebius of Caesarea?

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–c. 340) is known as the “father of church history.” He was the first to write a “comprehensive” history of the early church. Eusebius of Caesarea is to be distinguished from his contemporary Eusebius of Nicomedia.

Eusebius of Caesarea was born in Palestine, and little if anything is known of his early life and conversion. In Palestine, Eusebius came under the influence of Pamphilus, who was a student of Origen. Pamphilus had amassed a large library of Origen’s writings, copies of Scripture, and commentaries—truly one of the great ancient Christian libraries. It seems that Eusebius fled the persecution of Christians in Palestine and eventually made his way to Egypt where he witnessed Christian martyrdom firsthand. He was also imprisoned for a short time. In 313 or 314, Eusebius was made bishop of Caesarea in his native Palestine.

The theology of Eusebius is problematic. He was somewhat sympathetic to the Arian position, while not fully embracing it himself. He was present at the Council of Nicaea and signed the Nicene Creed (perhaps being pressured to do so by Emperor Constantine), but he was never in full support of it as later writings made clear. Eusebius felt that the condemnation of Arius was too strong.

Eusebius of Caesarea wrote several major works. In Preparation for the Gospel (15 books), he refutes paganism, using extensive quotes from pagan authors. In Demonstration of the Gospel (20 books), he examines how Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. In his most famous and perhaps most important work, Ecclesiastical History (10 books), Eusebius provides a history of the church from apostolic times through the death of Constantine.

Ecclesiastical History is important for a number of reasons. It uses extensive quotations from primary sources that would be lost to us otherwise. It records the succession of bishops and teachers in major sees from apostolic times. It highlights the battles against heresy and the internal struggle to understand and formulate a biblical doctrine of the Trinity. It gives details on persecutions and martyrdoms. It preserves traditions about the New Testament writers and gives details regarding the canon. By the time of Eusebius, most of the current New Testament was accepted as canonical. James, Hebrews, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Revelation were the only books not fully accepted. Finally, Eusebius provides an account of the conversion of Constantine, the details of which he received from Constantine himself, the two having become close friends.

Eusebius seems to have taken his historical sources at face value and is not considered a critical historian. He also seems to have been somewhat blinded in admiration for Constantine. However, this appreciation for a Christian emperor may be understandable coming from one who had personally witnessed persecution and martyrdom. With the Edict of Constantine, it truly seemed that a new world was at hand and that the church was going to triumph in the secular realm.

What is the Martyrdom of Polycarp?

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

Polycarp (AD 69—156 or 157) was the bishop of Smyrna and one of the last living disciples of John the apostle. The only writing by Polycarp that has survived is his epistle to the Philippians.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is a letter written by one of Polycarp’s followers to the church at Smyrna where Polycarp served as bishop. The letter gives the account of Polycarp’s (and some others’) martyrdom for the sake of Christ. This letter is relatively short. It is widely accepted by scholars to be generally accurate.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp begins with an account of persecution and martyrdom of a number of Christians as well as at least one person who renounced his faith to escape torture. The Christians at the time were being told, under threat of death, to renounce Christ, confess that “Caesar is Lord,” and offer incense to the Emperor. One of the modes of torture/execution of Christians was to have them attacked by wild animals in a public arena. After a number of Christians had been killed in this way, the crowds began to call for the blood of Polycarp.

Polycarp initially wanted to give himself up, but his friends prevailed upon him to try to hide or escape. However, he was eventually found and brought into the city. The following excerpts are from J. B. Lightfoot’s translation of the Martyrdom of Polycarp:

“And he was met by Herod the captain of police and his father Nicetes, who also removed him to their carriage and tried to prevail upon him, seating themselves by his side and saying, ‘Why what harm is there in saying, Caesar is Lord, and offering incense’, with more to this effect, ‘and saving thyself?’ But he at first gave them no answer. When however they persisted, he said, ‘I am not going to do what ye counsel me.’

“Then they, failing to persuade him, uttered threatening words and made him dismount with speed, so that he bruised his shin, as he got down from the carriage. And without even turning round, he went on his way promptly and with speed, as if nothing had happened to him, being taken to the stadium; there being such a tumult in the stadium that no man’s voice could be so much as heard” (Polycarp 8:2–3).

The letter then describes Polycarp’s final minutes: “But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven; ‘Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.’ And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And at length, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for they heard that Polycarp had been apprehended.

“When then he was brought before him, the proconsul enquired whether he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to persuade him to a denial saying, ‘Have respect to thine age,’ and other things in accordance therewith, as it is their wont to say; ‘Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, Away with the atheists.’ [Christians were called ‘atheists’ because they did not believe in the gods of Rome.] Then Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, ‘Away with the atheists.’

“But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, ‘Swear the oath, and I will release thee; revile the Christ,’ Polycarp said, ‘Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’” (Polycarp 9:1–3).

Realizing that Polycarp would not recant, his captors threatened him with wild beasts. When that did not work, he was threatened with burning alive. That did not frighten him, either. (Earlier in the letter, Polycarp says that he had a vision of being burned alive.) A pyre was made, and the wood caught on fire but Polycarp was unharmed. Then a man stabbed him in the heart, and a great gush of blood came out and extinguished the remaining flames. After his death by stabbing, his body was burned.

“Now the blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the first part of the month Xanthicus, on the seventh before the calends of March, on a great Sabbath, at the eighth hour. He was apprehended by Herodes, when Philip of Tralles was high priest, in the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, but in the reign of the Eternal King Jesus Christ. To whom be the glory, honor, greatness, and eternal throne, from generation to generation. Amen” (Polycarp 21:1).

The provenance of the letter is added to the end of the narrative:

“This account Gaius copied from the papers of Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp. The same also lived with Irenaeus.

“And I Socrates wrote it down in Corinth from the copy of Gaius. Grace be with all men.

“And I Pionius again wrote it down from the aforementioned copy, having searched it out (for the blessed Polycarp showed me in a revelation, as I will declare in the sequel), gathering it together when it was now well nigh worn out by age, that the Lord Jesus Christ may gather me also with His elect into His heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen” (Polycarp 22:2–4).

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is an inspirational encouragement for Christians today to remain true to Christ regardless of the threats or circumstances. It takes only a few minutes to read, and it is readily available online in a number of different translations.