History Class

History Class

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

“And the rest is history!” You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it. After all, each moment lived turns into history the next. It’s that simple. It all adds up, and many topics are worth knowing about. Even so, I’ve never liked studying it. Paralysis set in and comprehension would cease with each date given. My focus would be on the date rather than the content and fear of forgetting which belonged to which stopped me from learning what the real meat and potatoes were.

However, recently a history book managed to snag my attention. In it are not timelines but storylines, and I remain mesmerized as I read what is upon the pages. The book is called, “When the Church was Young: Voices of the Early Fathers” by Marcellino D’Ambrosio.

Just as the creators of the new American republic came to be known as the “Founding Fathers,” the men written about in this book came to be called the “Church Fathers. The era of the Church Fathers begins where the original eyewitnesses leave off” (D’Ambrosio).

“Fathers are those who beget life. And while physical life is a marvel, spiritual life, which comes from intimate knowledge of God, is a yet more wonderful thing. The Fathers begat this life primarily through their teaching. The word of God, the teaching of Christ and the apostles, was likened by them to seed, which bestows life. But they also likened it to bread, which sustains life. Like good fathers, they were not only begetters, but providers. They not only sowed the apostolic seed, they provided nourishment, counsel, and discipline with an eye toward bringing the infant Church to maturity” (D’Ambriosio).

“This book is intended to acquaint the reader with the colorful personalities and the seething passion of those who are our common ancestors and to share a few gems from the treasure of their precious teaching, which is our common patrimony. And when I say ‘our,’ I mean the entire Christian family. Long before the schism between East and West, Protestant and Catholic, long before the words catholic, orthodox, and evangelical referred to communities distinct and separated from each other, the Fathers of the Church gloried in the one faith of the united Body of Christ, which can be none other than evangelical, catholic, and orthodox. It is time to rediscover our common inheritance. By returning to the days when the Church was young and exploring our roots together, we will experience new growth that will produce new fruit, new unity, and great joy” (d’Ambrosio).

Thus begins the journey into the life of men who lived and died carrying the torch of Christianity. We are introduced to believers who were used as human torches to illuminate amphitheaters by Nero. We will meet Clement who was a witness to the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. And, you will meet many more along the way such as Ignatius, Peter’s successor to the church in Antioch, who “opens a window into the soul of a Christian on the eve of martyrdom” (d’Ambrosio).

Read. Go deep. Be blessed and grow in knowledge of our common heritage.  Amen.