Early Christian writings

[eoe]

I personally enjoy reading the works of the early Christian leaders as I feel it gives me an insight into the beginning of our faith. It seems to me that many people are intimidated by the "ECFs" but I think it is without reason. The vast majority of the stuff I have read has been very easy to understand and very clear.

Anyone else enjoy reading the early writings? Anyone feel intimidated? Favorites?

 

[kisstheson]

Hi!

I have read bits and pieces. I liked these writings. What's really interesting is that some of them actually knew the orginal guys that hung around Jesus. That's way cool! I would have especially liked being a disciple of John the apostle. Man!!!

 

[eoe]

Both Polycarp and Ignatius were desciples of John the beloved. Neat stuff eh? Do you know that there is a great resource for early writings free on the web? Clicky
You can find Ignatius and Polycarp's writings there among others like Justin Martyr. Very early stuff.

I actually have a challenge on my homepage for people to read On The Incarnation by Athanasius (3000 blessings!) and a letter by Ingatius - I am working on adding other stuff too.

 

[kisstheson]

Thanks! I'll have to check it out.

 

[synger]

I have read excerpts here and there, mostly topic-driven based on whatever I was studying at the time. I have not sat down and read one through completely. It intrigues me, but I've just not done it.

I am contemplating taking up your Athanasius challenge.

 

[eoe]

I am contemplating taking up your Athanasius challenge.

Please do! It is, in my opinion, one of the top 5 most influential peices of (non scripture)Christian literature ever written. Absolutely amazing!

The first apology of Justin Martyr is also quite good - both are very general, ecumenical documents as they are so early.

 

[synger]

Well, the earliest I've really read in-depth is Augustine of Hippo. I studied him in philosophy, and got hooked. His City of God is probably in the top ten. I'm amazed at how God has blessed us through the centuries with such gifted people to guide and challenge the Church.

 

[ivory]

I must check it out

 

[Bramage]

I personally enjoy reading the works of the early Christian leaders as I feel it gives me an insight into the beginning of our faith. It seems to me that many people are intimidated by the "ECFs" but I think it is without reason. The vast majority of the stuff I have read has been very easy to understand and very clear.

Anyone else enjoy reading the early writings? Anyone feel intimidated? Favorites?

Indeed, the Nag Hammadi Library is a vast amount of the time of Jesus.

It is not welcomed by the church, because it may have the ability to undermine the church, given the views that are written.

It gives a more up close and personal view of Jesus, and has things that are not found in the bible...like when Jesus says what we look for is already come, and the kingdom of heaven is all around us, but men's hearts do not see or embrace it.

This rings true to my heart, that we are in the kingdom of heaven, and when you look at all the teachings of Jesus, including the bible, you can see the connection of what Jesus says in relation to us being already in the kingdom of heaven.

Such as when the light reveals all things hidden in the kingdom of heaven, in order for us to realize and pluck out these things which are not good for us, and are not of God.

Not sure why the churches do not allow it. It is reading from these, that I have entered into the bridal chamber with Jesus. So there must be something there that the church is not able to understand perhaps.

Perhaps the church is afraid that Christians may look at the church as merchants of the word of God, once the one who sees, reveals all things hidden in the kingdom of heaven.
I personally thank God for the churches...otherwise we would all be blind.

 

[Dave01]

Indeed, the Nag Hammadi Library is a vast amount of the time of Jesus.

It is not welcomed by the church, because it may have the ability to undermine the church, given the views that are written.

It gives a more up close and personal view of Jesus, and has things that are not found in the bible...like when Jesus says what we look for is already come, and the kingdom of heaven is all around us, but men's hearts do not see or embrace it.

This rings true to my heart, that we are in the kingdom of heaven, and when you look at all the teachings of Jesus, including the bible, you can see the connection of what Jesus says in relation to us being already in the kingdom of heaven.

Such as when the light reveals all things hidden in the kingdom of heaven, in order for us to realize and pluck out these things which are not good for us, and are not of God.

Not sure why the churches do not allow it. It is reading from these, that I have entered into the bridal chamber with Jesus. So there must be something there that the church is not able to understand perhaps.

Perhaps the church is afraid that Christians may look at the church as merchants of God.

I personally thank God for the churches...otherwise we would all be blind.

Why? Because their view was opposed to salvation. Their ambition was personal knowledge, not spiritual renewal from a spiritually dead state by the blood of Jesus.

The church got rid of such stuff, and for good reason.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

bump

 

[jsimms615]

I personally enjoy reading the works of the early Christian leaders as I feel it gives me an insight into the beginning of our faith. It seems to me that many people are intimidated by the "ECFs" but I think it is without reason. The vast majority of the stuff I have read has been very easy to understand and very clear.

Anyone else enjoy reading the early writings? Anyone feel intimidated? Favorites?

I have tried several times to read early church writings. I read all of Augustine's confessions and some letters and sermons on different web sites. I do think the language is difficult to understand most of the time for me. It helps to know the history and background of the writing if possible ahead of time.

 

[eoe]

Indeed, the Nag Hammadi Library is a vast amount of the time of Jesus.

The Nag Hammadi Library is gnostic. It is incompatible with Christianity. Gnosticism is not something to tinker with. There is such a massive wealth of good stuff that there is no reason to go off looking for the bad.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Gnosticism and nicolatians and jessabel teachings as well as all satanics are opposed in Rev 2-3 by Jesus' talk to the churches.

That would entail hierarch(nicolatians) all the isms (gnostics) the pursuit of power (jessabel) evil intent (satanics),

All these things were taught by Jesus but not too much reached the first church fathers.

 

[Bramage]

Why? Because their view was opposed to salvation. Their ambition was personal knowledge, not spiritual renewal from a spiritually dead state by the blood of Jesus.

The church got rid of such stuff, and for good reason.

Actually, alot of the teachings of the bridal chamber in which one is able to become one with Jesus is found in the Nag Hammadi.

Perhaps the Gnostics were not able to interpret the recorded words they had in their possession, as I have.

There is way more going on in the Gnostics than most people realize, and unless you have studied them completely, you are basing your opinion on others, who themselves may have hearts divided and lost
(blind ignorance).

Either way, what matters is my oneness with Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.

 

[SaintsandSinners]

Actually, alot of the teachings of the bridal chamber in which one is able to become one with Jesus is found in the Nag Hammadi.

Perhaps the Gnostics were not able to interpret the recorded words they had in their possession, as I have.

There is way more going on in the Gnostics than most people realize, and unless you have studied them completely, you are basing your opinion on others, who themselves may have hearts divided and lost
(blind ignorance).

Either way, what matters is my oneness with Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.

Nothing you say to the Holy Ghost will be unforgiven, only denial thereof.

 

[Bramage]

Nothing you say to the Holy Ghost will be unforgiven, only denial thereof.

You see clearly the mystery of God.

 

[Bramage]

Gnosticism and nicolatians and jessabel teachings as well as all satanics are opposed in Rev 2-3 by Jesus' talk to the churches.

That would entail hierarch(nicolatians) all the isms (gnostics) the pursuit of power (jessabel) evil intent (satanics),

All these things were taught by Jesus but not too much reached the first church fathers.

Perhaps, but then again, who really knows what happened back then. What we do know, was the death squads and those who ruled (dictators). How much of a role did the church play as a freind to the dictators and the death squads? We shall never know.

All I know is I am standing in the 21st century, wanting to know Jesus more and more. Yes, alot of the Nag Hammadi is silly, and mostly unable to make sense of, yet the carbon dating is to an earlier time near Jesus, and these books lay burried in the ground for nearly 2000 years, untouched, untranslated, uninterpreted or revised.

Now I am standing in the 2nd century, much closer to Jesus, without interpretations that may have taken place over 2000 years since Jesus.

I ask all of you, "why do the words of Jesus, in these old books appear exactly as in the bible, yet the words continue on further (same page) with more that is obviously edited out of the bible. Trust me, the words spoken by Jesus, are the same person and mind set as that of Jesus. Jesus continues on with his teachings, yet the bible stops short of all the things Jesus was speaking.

Personally, I trust something carbon dated to the 2nd century, over something 2000 years old, that has survived countless world wars, handed over again and again to different rulers.

I do not discredit the bible, rather I say to those who may want to seek Him, to think outside the box, and embrace the possiblity, that maybe the Holy Ghost made these old books appear now, in this time, for a reason. The Truth is obvious to me, as one who sees clearly. As for the seekers out there, it is between God and you to come together as one...where no one can come between you and your true love, Jesus.

These are words of Jesus spoken...how anyone can disaggree is impossible, for the words match verbatim, exactly the same as the bible, only there are more words to behold.

No one will stand between me and Jesus, and certainly not anyone with hearts yet divided (blind). I am merely one who studies all theology, looking closely with the Holy Ghost which guides me to see all things.

 

[Gazelle]

Hey ya'll . . . God bless ya'll . . .

 

[soblessed53]

Why? Because their view was opposed to salvation. Their ambition was personal knowledge, not spiritual renewal from a spiritually dead state by the blood of Jesus.

The church got rid of such stuff, and for good reason.

The Nag Hammadi Library is gnostic. It is incompatible with Christianity. Gnosticism is not something to tinker with. There is such a massive wealth of good stuff that there is no reason to go off looking for the bad.

Gnosticism and nicolatians and jessabel teachings as well as all satanics are opposed in Rev 2-3 by Jesus' talk to the churches.

That would entail hierarch(nicolatians) all the isms (gnostics) the pursuit of power (jessabel) evil intent (satanics),

All these things were taught by Jesus but not too much reached the first church fathers.