Ignatius - letter to the Magnesians
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Steven Avery
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The claim that "Christianity did not come from Judaism" is attributed to
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD), an early Christian martyr and bishop who lived in the first century. In his Epistle to the Magnesians, specifically chapter 10, Ignatius writes:
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The claim that "Christianity did not come from Judaism" is attributed to
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD), an early Christian martyr and bishop who lived in the first century. In his Epistle to the Magnesians, specifically chapter 10, Ignatius writes:
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Context and Meaning of Ignatius's Statement:
- Rejection of "Judaizing": Ignatius was combating "Judaizers," Christians who continued to observe Jewish laws and customs (such as keeping the Sabbath). He believed this practice was a rejection of the grace found in Christ.
- "New Leaven" vs. "Old Leaven": Ignatius described Christianity as the "new leaven" and Judaism as the "old" or "sour" leaven, viewing Judaism as obsolete and replaced by Christianity.
- Theological Assertion: When Ignatius states that Judaism believed in Christianity, he is making a theological argument rather than a strictly historical one. He is asserting that the Old Testament prophets looked forward to Christ, and therefore, the goal of the faith was always the new covenant in Jesus.
- Separation of Religions: Ignatius is regarded as one of the earliest, if not the first, to explicitly define Christianity and Judaism as two distinct, mutually exclusive, and even rival religions, marking a definitive "parting of the ways" in early Christianity.
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Steven Avery
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Fake Fathers Quotes: St. Ignatius Edition
Somebody decided to make St. Ignatius of Antioch say something anti-Semitic, and those who are easily deceived are passing it around the Internet. The pro-Jewish people who are condemning Ignatius …
suburbanbanshee.wordpress.com
However, there’s another quote going around, which is not from St. Ignatius at all. It is scummy, besides being baldly unconvincing. Here it is:
“Christianity did not come from Judaism. Judaism is a perversion of Christianity.”
NO. HE DID NOT SAY THAT.
The closest thing to that which he said was:
‘It is out of place (ατοπον) to speak of (λαλειν) Jesus Christ and to Judaize. For Christianity did not believe in (επιστευσεν) Judaism; but Judaism believed in Christianity, so that “every” believing “tongue” was gathered into God. (Is. 45:23, Rom. 14:11, Phil. 2:11)’
- St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians, Chapter X, 3.
Steven Avery
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suburbanbanshee
April 28, 2024 at 4:44 pm
The English word “Jew” derives from the words “Judaea” or “Judah”, depending on how far back you wish to go,: but that’s not what it means. Any dictionary will provide you with the definition, if your English vocabulary is lacking it.
The Son incarnated as a member of the tribe of Judah – in fact, as the heir to the tribal chief and the kingship –, and He chose to live as a human Whose god was YHWH. Obviously He also was God and YHWH, but He did not scruple to speak of “my God.”
So given that He lived under the Law and as a participant in the older Covenant (on both sides, too!), He is rightly called a Jew. It is a historically accurate statement which applies to His earthly life.
And in fact, even John’s Gospel has the Samaritan woman identify Jesus as being “Ioudaios,” a Jew.
Now, if you are looking for definitions of hometown location, rather than definitions of belief or definitions of tribal membership, you might find Galilean to be an important distinction.
But unless you are saying that Jesus was a pagan, the word Galilean tells us nothing about Jesus’ religious identity or practices.
The name Judah, Yehudah, literally means “to throw one’s hands or arms outspread”, and hence it means “thanksgiving” or “praise”.
Since Jesus is the Eucharist, and also the One Who hallows His Name, and also the One Who threw His arms outspread on the Cross, He is indeed the most Judah-ish member of the House of Judah that ever lived — and continues to live, and continues to throw His hands out for us.
April 28, 2024 at 4:44 pm
The English word “Jew” derives from the words “Judaea” or “Judah”, depending on how far back you wish to go,: but that’s not what it means. Any dictionary will provide you with the definition, if your English vocabulary is lacking it.
The Son incarnated as a member of the tribe of Judah – in fact, as the heir to the tribal chief and the kingship –, and He chose to live as a human Whose god was YHWH. Obviously He also was God and YHWH, but He did not scruple to speak of “my God.”
So given that He lived under the Law and as a participant in the older Covenant (on both sides, too!), He is rightly called a Jew. It is a historically accurate statement which applies to His earthly life.
And in fact, even John’s Gospel has the Samaritan woman identify Jesus as being “Ioudaios,” a Jew.
Now, if you are looking for definitions of hometown location, rather than definitions of belief or definitions of tribal membership, you might find Galilean to be an important distinction.
But unless you are saying that Jesus was a pagan, the word Galilean tells us nothing about Jesus’ religious identity or practices.
The name Judah, Yehudah, literally means “to throw one’s hands or arms outspread”, and hence it means “thanksgiving” or “praise”.
Since Jesus is the Eucharist, and also the One Who hallows His Name, and also the One Who threw His arms outspread on the Cross, He is indeed the most Judah-ish member of the House of Judah that ever lived — and continues to live, and continues to throw His hands out for us.
Steven Avery
Administrator
Continues