As one might see, I’ve become increasingly annoyed—irritated--with “traditionalist hubris and parochialism.” This is especially directed at a breed of narrow-minded, enthusiastic, and revivalistic Anglicans who think “the church” began with the Celts in England. Then, there is this magnificent leap to other puerilities. It seems as if every group has this sense, that is, "certain voices." In spirit, tone and ethos, they're "American Fundies" by another name.
The church is rooted in Christ’s work in history and that’s “global,” as promised in the Abrahamic covenant. His work goes back to Creation and the history of Israel. The Gospel writers root their story firmly in historical notices. One is left hanging in Acts 28…perhaps by the intent of the historian, that is, Luke wishing to inform the world that Christ’s gospel went from Jerusalem, capital of a small jurisdiction with an ancient history, “to the ends of the world” as it were, to the world’s urban capital of Rome. All under Christ’s sovereign administration. All with the on-going promises of Triune Presence of attendance with Christ’s Church and Churches.
The church is not just European, English, American or Canadian. One might be surprised to find that the modern “mission churches” are quite larger than the “mother churches.” One hears reports about the underground churches in China, for example. Or, Africa. Canterbury has a wonderful “history,” but her influence has waned as a Biblical voice. Or, other places. Unfortunately, our current lens colours our views of the present. Again, Christ’s ministry is to “tribes, tongues, and nations” globally. That is the import of St. John’s use of the term “world” in his Gospel; that word, “world,” is not minor oversight by the beloved apostle.
Even in the darkest of times, Christ was there. Early Christians faced persecutions although few get a lot of press, aside from Eusebius. People witnessed Christian living, read the Scriptures, heard sermons, participated in Eucharistic meals, and lived the faith. They faced persecution, often indifference and, at other times, contempt and ridicule. By the 4th and 5th centuries, they witnessed “demographic upheavals” by national emigrations and migrations. St. Augustine wrote “The City of God” with invasions to Rome in view. One thinks of Imperial Rome being devastated and it’s substantial emigration to safer parts of the Empire. By Gibbon's estimation, Imperial Rome in St. Paul's time had a teeming population of 1,000,000 but by Gregory the Great's closing days (600 AD) about 100,000 at most.
Given the present irritation--a grounded and growing offense--with some American Anglicans, who’ve proven themselves to be arrogant and obnoxious (and that’s been seen in the other groups too…horrors yes! Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Romanists, Tractarians, Greeks, the whole lot of many of their apologists), the time has come to review some history. What’s irritating is that these “enthusiasts” act as if no one has surveyed, read, investigated or studied the ancient catholic church, the medieval catholic church, the Renaissance or Reformed catholic church, or the modern catholic church. But alas, they’re the triumphant yokels. Pompous gasbags!
Fortunately, due to sovereign mercies alone, there are fine men of different, more noble and humbler spirits.
As such, we are gathering the names for inquiry and review—once again. It will help the enthusiasts to remember than St. Paul didn’t preach at Ephesus in chasuble and mitre, although that’s a standard for some of them. Or, offer prayers from the Book of Common Prayer at Alexandria, Egypt. If anything, this becomes a plea for humility, caution (just because it’s ancient doesn’t mean it’s better, unless you prefer to travel by horses or foot...or wish to transmit Scriptures by scribes, etc.). But onwards to better things.
We propose these names for review.
1. Philo
2. Josephus
3. Gospel, Paul and NT
4. Ignatius
5. Trajan and Pliny
6. Quadratus
7. Aristides
8. Papias
9. Epicetus
10. Didache
11. Emperor Hadrian
12. Papias
13. Gnosticism and its surge
14. Marcion
15. Gospel of Hebrews
16. Pseudo-Barnabas
17. Antonius Pius
18. Basiliedes
19. Aristo of Pella (130)
20. Hermas
21. Martyrdom of Polycarp
22. Roman Symbol
23. Valentinus
24. Gospel of Peter
25. Muratorian Canon (c. 160)
26. Montanism & Pentecostals
27. Fronto of Cirta
28. Epitaph of Pectorius
29. Ascension of Isaiah
30. Odes of Solomon
31. Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
32. Hegisippus (154-166)
33. Lucian of Samosata
34. Tatian
35. 11 Enoch
36. Athenagoras
37. Martrys of Gaul (177)
38. Emperor Commodus
39. Theophilus of Antioch
40. Irenaeus (c. 180)
41. Pantaneus
42. Scillitan Martyrs
43. Melito of Sardis (c.189)
44. Quarto-decimian Controvery, including
English church
45. Emperor Pertinax (193)
46. Tertullian (195-220)
47. Septimus Severus
48. Minucius Felix
49. Epitaph of Alercius
50. Perpetua and Felix
51. Clement of Alexandria (200-215)
52. Varied persecutions, syncretism, including
Montanism, Marcionism, Gnosticism
53. Origen
54. Plotinus
55. Manicheanism
56. Pseudo-Clementine
57. Cyprian of Carthage, episcopacy, persecutions
58. Dionysius of Alexandria
59. Eutyches
60. Lucian of Antioch
61. Paul of Samosata
62. Gregory the Wonderworker
63. Firmilian of Caesarea
64. Gnostic papyri
65. Gospel of Bartholomew
We shall, God willing, enlarge the list and develop reviews.
For the gasbags, get ahold of the confession of sins in Morning Prayer and live with this reminder:
1 Peter 5:
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Denominational gasbaggeries and blowharderies, especially from some clerics, is offensive, is noted, and shall be resisted.
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