Chapters 9-11: Christology

How does Christ fit in to Irenaeus' strong monotheism:

Well, on the negative side Irenaeus denies the adoptionist and the docetic Christologies of his opponents, rather he affirms that

(1) "The word of God...was made Jesus Christ...For inasmuch as the Word of God was man from the root of Jesse, and son of Abraham, in this respect did the Spirit of God rest upon Him, and anoint Him to preach the Gospel to the lowly. But inasmuch as He was God, He did not judge according to glory, nor reprove after the manner of speech." (ch 9)
(2) "John relates His original, effectual, and glorious generation from the Father"

Why is docetism wrong?

For Ignatius docetism is wrong for the following reasons:

(1) The docetics deny that Christ genuinely had a human body.
(2) The docetics deny the suffering, the passion and the resurrection of Christ. As we have seen before, this is particularly a sore point for Ignatius as he saw his own suffering as being linked to the suffering of Christ. Also, the heretics in this way exclude themselves from the salvation Christ achieved.
(3) Docetics deny the Eucharist, as they deny Christ had a real body.
(4) Docetics deny prayer--although Ignatius does not explain this.
(5) Docetics do not care for the widows, the orphans and others who are in need.

There is tension in Ignatius' attitude towards the heretics. On the one hand, he instructs his readers not to associate with them so as not to be contaminated by their teaching. Yet they are to pray for the docetics that they may be saved. In fact, Ignatius refuses to name the heretical teachers, expressing a hope that they might still repent.

Ignatius' Epistle to the Smyrnaeans

As one reads through these epistles by Ignatius, common themes start to emerge. Once again in this letter we have emphasis on the authority of the bishop and the need for submission to him. In fact, it is considered wrong to celebrate the Eucharist without the bishop, or at least someone authorised by him.

However, in this letter the authority of the bishop is set in the context of conflict over the docetic heresy. As I have suggested earlier, prior to a NT canon it is the authority of the bishop which guarantees continuity within the apostolic tradition, hence the need to avoid heretic celebrations of the Eucharist.

Docetism

Chapters 9-11 attack the specific heresy that Ignatius is concerned with: Docetism, the belief that Christ was not really human and did not really suffer, but only appeared to. Ignatius attacks this heresy with a passionate defense of the humanity of Christ, who "did eat and drink".

There is a pastoral reason for the vehemence of Ignatius' argument, even referring to the heretics as the "offshoot of Satan." Ignatius is suffering for the gospel, on the way to face martyrdom. He makes sense of this suffering by seeing it as a participation in the suffering and the passion of Christ. Yet, if Christ was not truly human, and his suffering not real, this makes a mockery of Ignatius' own suffering and faithfulness.

The letter concludes with the customary concern with love and unity.

Polycarp on false teaching and perseverance

In chapter 7 Polycarp warns his readers against false teachings notably:

1. Denial that Christ came in the flesh
2. Denial that Christ suffered on the cross
3. Denial of the resurrection
4. Denial of the final judgement

The remainder of chapter 7 and 8-9 consists of exhortations to perseverance, with certain people, notably Paul, being presented as examples of those who are now with Christ as they have shared in his sufferings.