Let's Get Rid of These Leaders!

What do you do when you want to overthrow your church leaders without due cause?   Well what you DON'T do is read 1 Clement.  He will not sympathize with your ambitions.

Who is Clement?  He was probably a Gentile and lived between A.D. 30-100.  Most believe that this is the Clement referred to in Philippians 4:3 (evidently written from Rome); and a co-worker with the Apostle Paul. This belief is founded on the writings of Eusebius (see below). The internal evidence also tends to support this opinion.

Others thought that he may have been an ex-slave of the family of Titus Flavius Clemens, cousin of the Emperor Domitian. One tradition claims that he was the second bishop of Rome, immediately after the apostle Peter; another tradition indicates that two bishops served between Peter and Clement.

It seems likely that Clement was a pastor in the church at Rome.  His letter to Corinth entitled 1 Clement assumes a similar responsbility to answering an important question for the Corinthian Church regarding unity and sedition. This letter probably was written about A.D. 95.   Because this is probably the earliest extrabiblical writings it stands in a place of great prominence.  His letter also is an important testimony to the canon of the New Testament, alluding to 1 Corinthians, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, and 1 Peter. [1]   These New Testament allusions are employed as authoritative sources which strengthen Clement’s arguments to the Corinthian church. The letter was lengthy and includes several references to the Old Testament.  Clement repeatedly refers to the Old Testament as Scripture.

Clement’s admonition to “Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle” (xlvii. 1)  implies his intimate knowledge of Paul's letter and implies that these documents were available to the Corinthian church. 
 

"This Epistle was held in very great esteem by the early Church. The account given of it by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl., iii. 16) is as follows: “There is one acknowledged Epistle of this Clement (whom he has just identified with the friend of St. Paul), great and admirable, which he wrote in the name of the Church of Rome to the Church at Corinth, sedition having then arisen in the latter Church. We are aware that this Epistle has been publicly read in very many churches both in old times, and also in our own day.” The Epistle before us thus appears to have been read in numerous churches, as being almost on a level with the canonical writings. And its place in the Alexandrian ms., immediately after the inspired books, is in harmony with the position thus assigned it in the primitive Church." [2]


The purpose of the letter seems to be some dispute (sedition) in Corinth, which had led to the removal from office of several elders. Certain younger leaders had not given proper respect to the bishops and deacons and have set up new leaders in their place. Since there was no moral offense, Clement deemed their removal as unjustifiable.







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1. Vos, H. F., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Exploring church history. Nelson's Christian Cornerstone Series. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

2. Dr. A. Cleveland Coxe, in Schaff, Philip (2009-06-08). Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 1 - Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers) (Kindle Locations 157-162). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.

The Standard of Relationships

Note John 5:16–30

 What an awesome description of the relationships within the Godhead!  Unity and diversity; submission and harmony; delegation and humility; and authority with cooperation.

V18	Jesus speaks in a way that makes Himself equal with God
V19	Equality of the Son & Father is so fused that the Son can only do what the Father does.
V20	The Son is shown all that the Father is doing because of the co-existent love
V21	The Father & Son both can give life to the dead if they will
V22	The Father has given all judgment to the Son
V23	To dishonor the Son is to dishonor the Father
V24	Belief in the Father who sent the Son brings eternal life

“Jesus provides compelling insight into His relationship with God. Jesus’ authority stems from His relationship with the Father, which is one of complete submission. In fact, He can do nothing on His own. Whatever the Father does, He does likewise. There is complete trust and openness—the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He is doing. Both the Father and the Son give life. But with authority, the Father has also given the Son judgment.”^[1]

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^[1] Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

This Bloody Baptism of the Church

Frederick Faber wrote in that great hymn:

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;

That appears to be an apt description of the era that the Apostolic Fathers wrote there timeless scripts.  "Those were times of heroism, not of words; an age, not of writers, but of soldiers; not of talkers, but of sufferers." [1]

"The Apostolic Fathers are characterized by edification as they sought to build up or strengthen believers in the faith . . .." [2] The first three hundred years after the last of the Twelve died was one wave of persecution after another. "Thus this bloody baptism of the church resulted in the birth of a Christian world."[3]  The persecutions started first with the Jews and then with the Gentiles, particularly the Roman Empire.

The Jewish hatred of Christianity was not only obvious in the crucifixion of Christ, but in the systematic elimination of many of the Twelve. "They caused the death of Symeon, bishop of Jerusalem (107); they were particularly active in the burning of Polycarp of Smyrna; and they inflamed the violence of the Gentiles by eliminating the sect of the Nazarenes." [3].

As long as the Jews received privileged protection under Rome, Christians, deemed a sect of the Jews also enjoyed that liberty.  However the decline of Judaism and the rise of Christianity soon caused the Way to stand out as a new and separate religion.  "To Christianity, appearing not as a national religion, but claiming to be the only true universal one making its converts among every people and every sect, attracting Greeks and Romans in much larger numbers than Jews, refusing to compromise with any form of idolatry, and threatening in fact the very existence of the Roman state religion, even this limited toleration could not be granted."[3]

"The emperor Trajan, in 107, came to Antioch, and there threatened with persecution all who refused to sacrifice to the gods. Ignatius was tried for this offence, and proudly confessed himself a "Theophorus" ("bearer of God") because, as he said, he had Christ within his breast. Trajan condemned him to be thrown to the lions at Rome . . . It was on the 20^th day of December, 107, that he was thrown into the amphitheater: immediately the wild beasts fell upon him, and soon naught remained of his body but a few bones, which were carefully conveyed to Antioch as an inestimable treasure."[3]

These words of Jesus have an ominous ring: ““Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16–22, ESV)


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1. A. Cleveland Coxe, D.D.,Schaff, Philip (2009-06-08). Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 1 - Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers) (Kindle Location 28). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.

2. Vos, H. F., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Exploring church history. Nelson's Christian Cornerstone Series. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers

3. Schaff, P., & Schaff, D. S. (1910). History of the Christian church. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.



Faith of Our "Apostolic Fathers"

I recently joined a 'reading group' who have decided to read the Apostolic Fathers.  As I follow the schedule I hope to collect my thoughts in this blog.  Our gracious facilitator reminded us a couple things about these men and the era they lived in.  First of all it should be noted that they did "theology in community, not in isolation."   That is a fascinating point.   If I have grasped this right that means from the inception, to the development and even the analysis of Christian theology, it didn't occur in the sequestered life of a monastery, nor in the isolation of a seminary. Theology was understood, worked out and lived out in community. As a side-bar, I have learned of the most obscure ideas that originate in the mind of individuals who hold to private interpretation and fail to work it out in community.  

 

The second notable point was that this theology reflected a developmental journey.  For us today who have the advantage of Councils, Systematic Theologies and the like, it proves to be somewhat foreign to recognize that there was a time when our theological under-pinnings were in process. 

 

We learned that the men we now call "Apostolic Fathers" were not know this until the 17th Century.  It seems that the term is used primarily because of their relationship or proximity to the Twelve Apostles of Christ.  All the Twelve had died by 100 A.D. but at least one of the group we call "Apostolic Fathers" worked with or knew the Apostles John and Paul.  These "Fathers" were Greek speaking (therefore their work is a translation) and they all lived prior to the great Church councils.

 

Why would they be called "Fathers"?  We sing a hymn from time to time, written by Frederick W. Faber:

 

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

 

It would seem that to designate these men as "Fathers" is to anticipate their influence in our lives as spiritual parents.  This is not unlike Paul's relationship to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) and Titus.  For example: “To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:4, ESV).  We then might think of these men as parenting us spiritually.  But what of Christ's admonition found in Matthew 23:9 (ESV), "⁹ And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven?"   The notation in the Reformation Study Bible is helpful here.  There we read:

 

"Jesus does not prohibit organization or the use of all titles in the church (cf. Acts 20:17; 1 Cor. 9:1; 1 Tim. 3:1, 2, 8, 12; Titus 1:5–7). His warning is against the temptation to accord human leaders the authority and prerogatives that belong to God alone—a temptation here exemplified by the use of pretentious forms of address."

The application is clear. These "Fathers" are men.  Their instruction and authority does not exceed our Lord.  They are not infallible.  Their work requires examination and testing.  As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV).  These presumes there is some elements that may be imperfect.  There is also some good that should be embraced. Our facilitator reminded us "Remember that at least some of these documents are penned by men who laid down their lives for the Lord and for their brothers and sisters.  They deserve our respect even if we don't always agree with them."

Hunting And Gun Control Are Not the Same!

I've tried to keep quiet about this, mainly because I have so many friends and family that seem passionate about "gun control" legislation.  I'm writing this to my hunting buddies; especially my Canadian hunting buddies.   My appeal is that we do not jump on the American band wagon in regards to this current debate on gun control.  I want you to know that we are talking apples and oranges.  The American lobby to eliminate gun control is based upon their Second Amendment rights which is essential the right to maintain weaponry that would forestall the attempts of a tyrannical government opposing the citizenship.  It's about arming a militia to defend themselves against the possibility of a government that tyrannizes them.

For anyone to wade into the US debate on gun control, you need to first and foremost deal with the fundamental question, "Should citizens have the right to arm themselves to the degree they could withstand an assault by a totalitarian regime in their own country?"  That question isn't even on the table in Canada.  Think of this for a second: current estimates in the US suggest that there are between 15 to 30 million illegal aliens residing in the States.  How sane is it to arm citizens (including illegal aliens) against a possible reversal of government interests when you permit millions of unknown people to live in your country?   By the way, the poster child for the advocates of Second Amendment rights is none other than Adolf Hitler.   Now there's credible source of support!

On the gun control the second issue that I have is with the well-worn phrase "guns don't kill, people kill."  So I'm the father of three lovely ladies.  When they were young we chose to leave knives, loaded firearms and other passive weapons laying around the house.  When my good wife said, "Jim, if we leave these things lying around someone will get hurt."   "No," I responded, "They won't hurt anyone, people hurt people."  Of course I'm being silly.   No, everything from household items, to weapons, including potential poisons were stored in safe and responsible locations. As responsible parents we "control" these tools and substances for the good of all.  The idea of having a semi-auto or automatic weapon with an ample magazine capacity available indiscriminately to anyone is the definition of insanity.

The third area that I think we've failed to adequately park our cerebral car is under the topic of gun control only stops the bad guys.   Now in this point I am distinctly Christian.  If we are to assume that laws and legislation are irrelevant because it fails to inhibit crime, we have lost sight of Romans 13:1-3.  God does not ordain the government to do what only a changed heart can do.  God never calls the government to control its citizenry because it will work every time.  Our legislature is not supposed to say, "We will only enact laws that we know before will work."  There is an ultimate and Divine purpose for governments to pass and enforce laws for the good and well-being of its people.  Unfortunately people will die today and in the future at the hands of wicked people.  Gun laws will not stop that, but that doesn't make gun laws irrelevant. As Christians we are promised that poverty will exist until Christ comes; but that doesn't mean we stop feeding the poor.

I'm ex-military and an avid hunter and I want gun control.  I want collectors and sportsmen to be able to have and use automatic weapons through to single shot rifles.  I want sportsmen to be able to enjoy short-barrelled guns and pistols. I want hunters to be able to happily use their firearms to enjoy the sport of hunting.  To assume this liberty can be done without some measure of control is naive. That means that I expect to have background checks done on me and my fellow sportsmen.  That means that I will be required to store, handle and transport firearms in a manner that is safe for the public.  I register my car, my truck, my cellphone, my business, my boat, my Quad, (even this computer that I'm working with comes with its own unique signature) ... I'm really not that ripped about registering my firearms.  And by the way, as a Canadian, I don't expect to maintain an arsenal that would forestall any assault on me by the Canadian Armed Forces.

I will maintain that the current measures in Canada to prohibit,  restrict, and control weapons is second-to-none.  It's not perfect, but I'm thankful for it.

Great Quote

"The mere use of Scripture does not guarantee the right use of Scripture."

Summation of  Hilary Poitiers view (300 - 367 A.D.) as quoted by Keith A. Mathison, in 'The Shape of Sola Scriptura',  page 31.

Hope!

Matthew 3:9 "And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham."

Salvation belongs to The Lord. He is able to save that which appears hard and cold. What encouragement!