What we can learn from Papias about early Christianity

[@drstevennemes]

A correction to what I say at 5:35 -
Papias uses the word “legousin” (present tense, not imperfect).

[@UplandJones1]

This is a very good overview of Papias. Thank you.

[@drstevennemes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@UplandJones1]

Very good summary of Papius.

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Good video. Interesting reaction by Eusebius and Jerome regarding Papias and Irenaeus the "millennium." It seems that Papias, Irenaeus, Papias, Tertullian, Justin Martyr, the writer of the "Epistle of Barnabas" and others held to a strictly "Jewish" tradition of a literal, chronological millennium. Are there any early church writers prior to the beginning of the third century who did not share this view?

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Thinking a bit more about this, I think that it is possible that Marcion and Papias really didn't know each other OR that one (or even both) were outside of the accepted church. Marcion sounds a lot like the fracture of people following individuals -- something that Paul addressed to the believers in Corinth in I Corinthians chapter 3. Marcion was rejected by later (yet still early) church writers who referenced him.
Apart from anecdotal references and the fragments, the person and teachings of Papias are less-known. It's possible that he lived outside of the areas where the physical copies of the Gospels and Epistles (including any established as canonical) had been passed along. Thus, he would have become acquainted with these writings via oral (and sometimes secondhand or thirdhand) rather than written traditions. Moreover, it's certainly possible that he was part of early doctrinal schisms within the wider church (which were already occurring in the first century as addressed in Acts and the epistles).
I really value Papias as a witness of early testimony but not as one of established doctrinal beliefs (or how widespread such beliefs may have been). While it is written that Papias was said to have known Polycarp, this doesn't equate to any quality of doctrine or standing. This sort of rhetoric basically places Polycarp (as far as reputation and position go) on a higher level of prominence and reliability thus making him a vastly more credible standard than that of Papias.

[@seanhogan6893]

Thanks Steven. I think that was the best introduction I think I've heard / read.

[@drstevennemes]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@JimmyTuxTv]

Have you explored when Papias death was?

[@drstevennemes]

I have not. What are your ideas on it?

[@JimmyTuxTv]

@@drstevennemes he has 2or3 different time periods of death, Ignatius has the same issue. it's a tug of war to try to get fathers and sources early but not be war casualties for martyrdom narratives. If you have a trusted source I'd be interested to know thoughts.

[@drstevennemes]

@@JimmyTuxTv interesting. I’d never thought of that before.
Like I say in the video, this is not really my field of expertise. But if you come across anything interesting, share it with me please!