Introducing: The Early Church Fathers
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 чер 2022
- The early centuries of Christianity are FULL of amazing writings from amazing Christians. These Christians are often referred to as 'The Early Church Fathers' or something similar. We'll be talking about a lot of them on this channel, so it's worth taking a moment to quickly introduce them.
Our free ebook of Athanasius' "On the Incarnation" from the fourth century: www.thebrothersrobinson.com/p...
Catena, a Bible resource available as website or app, where you can read ancient Christian commentaries on ANY verse in scripture, amazing stuff: catenabible.com
A Facebook page connected with Patristix where we post a lot of quotes from the early fathers: / theancientchristianwisdom
An example of patristic discussion on Scripture, Jonathan Pageau and Orthodox priest Fr Bogdan Bucur on the road to Emmaus story, it's very good: • Encountering the Risen...
Our Facebook page: / patristix
Am romanian orthodox and am impressed with your knowledge and the relaxed way you talk about our church. It's a delight to hear you. Many thanks Stephan.
Multumesc mult! ❤
Cu dragoste 🙏🏼
So much history modern Christianity ignores. I’m glad we’re reconnecting with help from those who never forgot.
Glory to God!
I consider it heresy you didn't talk about the tea. Nonetheless, great video, and I'm looking forward to more!
Sorry Rebecca! Was a green tea with rose and papaya
@@Patristix thank you!
@@Patristix is there a way to have a chat with you I have questions
I just wanted to be so pure when I started to study the commentaries and homilies of the Church Fathers. Their writings revolutionised my relationship with God and Christianity. One cannot be a well-balanced theologian without their writings. They ruthlessly and meticulously preserved doctrinal Divine truth.
Thank you so much for these videos. I am discovering orthodoxy, being interested in it for a couple of years, but not understanding where to start and a bit nervous if I would be accepted. Your videos and been so beneficial in making me comfortable and watching these videos has been very emotional for me, as they have touched something within me that is very deep. I moved to a very tiny town in a rural area to escape the insanity of our world. I was shocked to find a tiny little Orthodox Church and yesterday I met with one of the Priests. Other than buying food at a local church Greek festival, this is the only time I have been in an Orthodox Church and the first time speaking with a Priest about their church. I felt so welcomed and received and I feel like for the first time in my life, this might be my home. He showed the icons in the church, showed me how to make the sign of the cross. I was stunned to learn that this small little parish, nearly every adult there were not born into the Orthodox Church, they were converts. I think there are many folks that grew up in a Baptist or Methodist background that feel there is something lacking. They all felt very shallow. I appreciate these videos and the hard work you are doing putting them together. You are helping me reconnect with myself and God. You are helping me to feel human again. God Bless you. And, please keep up your good work.
Thank you for sharing that with us, you have encouraged us! May God bless you!
We need and want to know everything you have to share! Thank you!
Love it ❤️
I love how you bring it back to what is truly important.. which is our relationship with Jesus Christ and how it shapes us as human beings. ☦️🙏
Thank you!
And yes! The Early Church Fathers pointed EVERYTHING back to Christ, so we should too
I love your videos. Please don't stop! They are a perfect for introducing and reviewing the fundamentals of the Orthodox faith.
The illustration that reading the Church fathers’ writings is like eating fresh fruit is beautiful. Thank you for this video and this channel. May the Lord bless you both and guide you according to His promise in Ephesians 2:10.
Keep up the great work! Discovering the history of the early Church and the writings and beliefs of the Fathers was a ground shifting discovery for me that changed the course of my life. I was living oversees as an Evangelical/Protestant missionary when I first encountered the Orthodox Church. So much history, beauty and profound faith that I'd never been exposed to, despite having grown up as a Christian and attending Bible school. It's a true tragedy that so many have lost (and sometimes been outright steered away from) this deposit of Faith. "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius is a great place to start for anyone wanting to dip their toes in.
It's a really amazing thing, knowing just how much there is from those early centuries for us to access!
Glad you could follow the threads home. I think more and more opportunities are coming available for people wanting to reconnect to Early Christianity now. Were you in a country with lots of Orthodox when you found it?
And glad to know there's some agreement in the comments about 'On the Incarnation' being a good starting point! Grateful indeed for Athanasius
@@Patristix I was based in Northern Ireland, but regularly made trips to Romania, which is where I encountered Orthodoxy.
Romania. Yep. That'll do it 😆 I've been to Romania a fair few times! Some beautiful Churches, and more importantly, beautiful Christians
"Christianity is an entirely new way to be human." - Maximus the Confessor
This is beautiful. Where did he write this particular quote?
I really need to dig it up actually! It's stuck in my head but I think it is a slight (and often quoted online) paraphrase of something he says in his 'Difficult Passages' letters.
I like the music. So chill.
Talking about the historical gap, growing up Anglican, my impression was Jesus ascended and then 🤷♀️ we just don't know what really happened for a good long time there. And like, yeah, maybe some people wrote some stuff, but can we really trust it because they were kind of biased? Now that I have some perspective, I find it interesting that I somehow imbibed that even as an Anglican. I'm ashamed to admit I was in my 30s before I had ever heard of the Great Schism, so my knowledge or understanding of Church history was nil.
But then I finally reflected that the Fathers that so often get dismissed by some are the same people who helped lay the foundations of Christianity that most Christians still hold essential to the faith.. It really is akin to cutting your own legs out from under you. Still hoping to get to know the Fathers better, but a first step was not being so suspicious/skeptical towards them.
May the learning journey continue! There is a lot of beauty to discover and I keep realising how much I don't know! And yes, moving above the skepticism is important. It was the fathers after all that selected the Scriptures, formed the doctrine of the Trinity, and so much more that MAKES Christianity! Holding them in some sort of position below us seems to imply that we know more about Christ than the people who lived closest to Him, and more about the Bible than the people who compiled it.
Thanks for the words about the music! We were very kenos having music in the show, it added a good 'something'! Glad others have enjoyed it too.
Exactly the descriptive video I was looking for. Thank you.
Thanks for doing this - much needed!
This is excellent. Thanks so much.
Thank you, brother! This is very much needed.
Thanks for all your support!
A fresh and plain explanation. Looking forward to your content.
Great work guys. 💖🙏➕
Something nice in the comments? thank you, i feel the grace.
I really love your work! We want (need) to see more!
Thanks for the kind words! Plenty more to come!
Thank you🙏🏻
My new favorite channel
Such a nice background! I got very motivated by what you said, to learn more abouth how the early church was.
Good teaching! Thanks!
Thanks for this channel teaching about the church fathers. Looking forward to learning.
Hope you enjoy it!
Saying something nice - thank you, thank you, thank you. I only 'found' you tonight through someone posting on IG and a giant hunger is beginning to be feed. So very grateful.
We're very glad, Maria! Thanks for watching!
I love this video, it's very balanced 🙌 Awesome work
Thank you!
Thank you for this, I am looking into St thomas aquinas, which lead me to the church fathers, and your video was the first to pop up..
Great work
I want to binge watch these so bad, just drop them all. Great work. Bought the book ''On the Incarnation'' after watching your last videos. Keep doing God's work
Enjoy the book! Thanks for watching!
I also bought the book. My mom is borrowing it, now, but when she gives it back, I think I'll get a notepad and try and take some notes.
@@AaronPLehmann Enjoy! It's not an easy read first time around, ancient literature is...ancient, but a worthwhile start and you won't run out of reading matter once you get going!
Thank you
So glad I found you (both😉)💕☦️
❤
Thank you for your videos. It is helpful for my journey in the orthodox church.
Glad to hear it! God bless!
Something “Nice in the comments” 😊 Thank You!
Really enjoyable video!
We follow early church apostolic order in my church. The Lord has changed me so many ways 🔥😌
This channel was shared with me a week ago. And I’m already sharing it with others. And I’m an old guy.
Thank you!
I don't know if you've heard of Isaiah Robin but he's the one who got me interested in the Early Church Fathers. I have the demo app of the whole entire collection (a library in of itself) on my tablet and I've found many gems of priceless wisdom, revelation and insight.
Good stuff. Keep going.
I just found your channel. You have a great delivery style.
Thank you so much! And welcome to Patristix
Thank you keep it up love your channel so smart
Really appreciate that! Thank you
You are good at explaining. Thank you. I appreciate you.
Thank you!
Love your work
"Bible Marshmallow" is a fantastic username!
The ascetics are on point in this video.
Something Nice!
🙂
Love it
When are you going to drink the tea in a video? #FreeTheTea
Brilliant video by the way! 😄👍
Haha! We've been editing out the drinking for the sipping/slurping noises. I promise to include something of me actually drinking tea just for you bro
I'm liiking your channel and presentation. Looking forward to seeing more. P.S. You forgot to tell us what tea you're drinking today.
Thank you, Irene!
Oh and gosh the tea! Sorry, you're right. It was an unusual one that day: green tea, with rose and papaya. Tasted tropical
Nice!
The background music playing is gentle, not too loud and enhances the video. Most videos play music that is too loud or overpowers the talking. Your stage set is really great!
I'm a former Protestant who is now falling in love with orthodoxy, liturgy and the writings of the church fathers.
Thank you for offering these teachings. I am learning a lot from them. God bless you
Welcome aboard! Thanks for the kind words. There was some trial and error with music levels at first so not all our early episodes are perfect but we reached the right levels eventually!
Indeed, the background music is beautiful! 🙏
Enjoying the videos, nice job guys keep up the good work. Do you have a recommended starting point book for those who would like to begin checking out the Church fathers?
Thank you Captain Crunch! (That's a cereal right? Never tried it but seen it in movies)
My first reading of the fathers was 'On the Incarnation' by Saint Athanasius, there's a free ebook in the video description. It was my starting point, and I know others who'd say the same. It's not easy reading the first time through (I was quite slow) but it's a good intro.
"Hymns on Paradise" by Saint Ephraim is good because it's...hymns. As you get to understand theology deeper and deeper as you grow, the hymns get better and better when you re-read them. But even starting out, they're beautiful.
I would also use Bible commentaries and get Church fathers thoughts on the books they knew so well. There's now an app called "Catena" which is amazing for that! Scripture alongside commentary!
@@Patristix Thanks! Yes it is a sugar-filled breakfast food :--) The deacon-reader at my bible study recommended 'On the Incarnation' and I downloaded the audiobook and listened to it on my walks, I was blown away. Honestly there were a few parts where I exclaimed a "Wow!" during my otherwise quiet stroll :--)
@@Kaptnkrnch It looks delicious and VERY sugar filled. Will have to try if I ever come across it, but I don't think it's in Australia :(
And I can imagine! An audio book is actually a cool way of doing it, having it spoken to you like a homily! Nice idea
🔥
🙌🙏
Something nice!
Third person so far commenting that 😆
Excellent ! Thank you ! Would it be a possibility to add just a little bit more lighting in that room ? I love LIGHT ! ( Physical and Spiritual ) : )
Thank you ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ
Thanks for the bear emoji
🙏🧡🌻
As an orthodox Catholic, I appreciate your channel. Although we may disagree on the Papacy, no doubt you are a brother in Christ
Pax Christi
It is good to disagree without being disagreeable! Thank you for watching and enjoying the show. God bless!
Most of The Church Fathers’ writings were translated and preserved by St. Thomas Aquila’s, and these have been translated into English. All Western Theology comes from St. Augustine. The only information I have is “From Jesus To Christ”. the First Christians. This was on Frontline many years ago and is a priceless introduction. I was interested in Father Origen, an Eastern bishop who wrote a lot of commentary on The Scriptures.
Do you have any suggestions on a good podcast on the church fathers?
Something nice in the comments.
I was waiting for this.... 😆
something nice
And it's in the comments! Exactly what we wanted! Thanks for watching
Can you link where to read the early church fathers 🙏🏼
Can I share this on my new TikTok? I’m looking to get more Christians inquisitive about our early church fathers, there is soo much insight we get from them that a lot of Christian’s aren’t aware of, for example, how close would their church be right now to what the church was like back in the 1st century? Thanks
Thanks so much for asking. To be honest we'd rather not for now. The videos we make are created with the aim of them being seen all the way through, as distinct from the short format of TikTok. We'd rather not see them cut down just yet. Happy to be referenced or recommended though! Thanks and sorry about that.
Hey, thank you for the reply and I’ll respect your wishes 🙏🏻
@@disco9503 Really appreciate that, thanks so much!
How do I find the writings of the early church Fathers? I keep finding other people talking about the early church but not the actual writings of them. Where do I start? The library? Google? Google Books?
A lot of them are available around the internet as free e-book downloads. Some of our videos have links to free e-books (like the Macrina and Athanasius videos) and we'll be making more. A handy tool is an app called "Catena" which adds heaps of Early Church Fathers into a Bible app, so you can tap a verse and read the early Church commentaries. It's amazing.
Best option is to visit an Orthodox Church and chat with the priest afterwards. He'll almost always know where to find some and which to recommend!
Is there a resource (app) that gives us access to the early father’s writings?
The first to come to mind is called Catena which gives a lot of commentaries on Scripture
nice video but can you turn volume a bit down in the future
The music or the talking?
@@Patristix ah ye the music, forgot to specify
Cheers! Will pay attention to that
thoughts on the early church fathers saying violence in all forms is a sin? like killing in self defense or going to war.
The end 😂😂😂
I have a question, how do we authenticate the writings of the apostolic fathers? For example; if some of the writers original papyrus manuscripts didn’t survive, how do we know it’s authentic? Is it because the same writings were recorded in larger quantities? Or is it because they have indeed found the original papyrus manuscript which match perfectly with the later Latin copies?
I have always wondered this.
Anyways God Bless You.
Basically, in the similar way as we authenticate the Gospel writings and the epistles of Paul. There are some writings of Apostolic Fathers that we do not know with certainty who wrote them (The Epistle of Barnabas, Hermas' Shepherd...) but then there are personal letters that have always been connected with their writers (St Ignatius of Antioch, St Polycarp, St Clement of Rome) and this authorship is acknowledged by the universal church. As St Augustine once said, none of the original manuscripts of Plato's "Republic" is survived, yet no one ever questions the authenticity of it. In the end of days, it's not so important who wrote them but that those texts represent and articulate the Christian faith that was delivered to the saints once and for all.
And even if the original papyrus didn't survive (as it is always the case), it's easy to determine what the original text was saying and when it was written. If you have the KJV Bible in your bookshelf, you can conclude based on its language and style that it was probably written somewhere before the 18th century even though the edition you have was published in 2012... This is called "textual criticism", which is unfortunately demonized in Christian circles because of Bart Ehrman and other sceptic scientists.
@@HomoEucharistica That makes sense, it also seems to me that the impact certain individuals (or things they did) had on the following centuries, were huge and remained significant even up until now and even without being mentioned in scripture, for example the martyrdom of Peter, or the succession of Jerusalems bishops. It seems as these history’s survived strongly in multitudes.
Thanks for the insight.
I have a difficult time finding early church writings and knowing what I am looking for where do I find them?
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers and texts from St Irenaeus of Lyon (Against all heresies) and St Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, Apologies I-II) are a good start. Catechetical lectures of St Cyril of Jerusalem, homilies of St John Chrysostom (and his "Six books on the Priesthood"), "On the 6 Day of Creation" by St Basil the Great... Then there are such names as Hippolytus, Cyprian of Carthage, Theophilus, St Gregory the Theologian... The biography of St Anthony the Great and the instructions of abba Dorotheus of Gaza are also very good.
How about the St Symeon the New-Theologian? He lived in AD 949-1022 and is considered as one of the Church Fathers... and technically St Gregory Palamas could also be seen as a church father.
☦️☦️☦️
1
Something nice
Hahaha! I had no idea so many people would take this literally! Thank you, mate!
@@Patristix haha well clearly you have a good sense of humor! I'm looking forward to more videos!
@@edgriffin6732 Thank you! Next one comes up Wednesday!
What a beautiful scene setting, photography, colours… can I suggest to introduce the Bible as the governing text of the Church …that the Church itself adopted as its own main authority to which she is to refer until the end of time.
Also, amongst various and sometimes confronting opinions of the fathers on certain matters we are to follow opinion of the father that was adopted by some of the Ecumenical Councils that was dealing with the issue. As none of the fathers neither claimed nor had the fullness of the truth. Only the Church as the Body of Christ has the fullness of truth. Bc body and head aren’t different realities, really.
Please keep up the great work. What a refreshing, intelligent and beautiful content in this UA-cam sea of stupid videos.
Thanks for your kind words! We will keep making episodes and there will be more on the Bible and the councils for sure!
4/26/2024 Just found this channel looking forward to diving into the content.
Something nice in the comments.... done
Dr. Michael Heiser said that we should read the church fathers because they had to deal with a pagan world, and pretty soon modern Christians will have to do the same thing.
An excellent reason to read the fathers! To be added of course to the long list of excellent reasons. Thank you!
*notices The Flame of the West*
I see you are a man of culture.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring...
@@Patristix … Renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be king. 💪🏼
⚔️🔥
@@Patristix I am a Protestant and a serious inquirer in to Orthodoxy. Thanks for the easy to understand videos (and for the engagement on my comment.)
May God bless your journey towards the Orthodox faith!
Thanks for appreciating good swords, fine cinema, and beautiful literature.
Does the church today look anything like it looked then?
The Eastern Orthodox Church holds that we are the direct continuation of the Early Church, yes. We have the same approaches to theology, services, etc. But to find out more the best way is to come and visit an Orthodox service and chat with the priest afterwards!
Real questions… WHO DECIDED that these would be called the Church fathers? Like who came up with these metrics and categories?
It's a gentle and organic process. Writings that were loved and consistent with the teachings of Christ remained so, and the writers are remembered.
"Something nice..." ;-)
Thank you, guys! :-)
Bro you're the FOURTH person to say 'something nice'! 😆 Hugs from both of us, miss you guys!
@@Patristix You told us to say it... ;-) (Sorry I am in write only mode. :-) )
@@Patristix Btw. I would have been at least the TENTH to say that "the video is very good and that I really like it"... so you would have more reason to complain then. ;-)
@@parlagigaspar You're very kind! I'm glad a lot of people are saying something nice 😆
I am saying "something nice" in the comments.
This will never get old. Thank you
Christianity started when Jesus was born , but officially from reading the book of Acts the followers of Christ were known as Christians from the chruch of Antioch ..
Bro English???? English ortho bro here
Great work guys. 💖🙏➕
Something Nice!
something nice
These 'something nice' comments will never get old. Thank you