DAY 280
CHALLENGE
“Why should I care about the Church Fathers? They aren’t inspired like the New Testament authors.”
DEFENSE
The Church Fathers were writers in the early centuries who were notable for their holiness and soundness of teaching. They are important for a number of reasons.
First, they were closer in time and in culture to the New Testament authors, and their writings provide context needed to understand aspects of the New Testament. The writings of the Church Fathers— together with ancient Jewish sources—are the two most important groups of writings for this purpose. Ancient Jewish sources shed light on the ideas that flowed into the writing of Scripture, and the Church Fathers shed light on the teachings that flowed from Christ and the apostles. Indeed, the earliest Fathers were taught directly by apostles and eyewitnesses of Christ’s ministry.
Second, from the perspective of faith, Jesus said he would be with his Church forever (Matt. 28:20). He promised to send his Church the Holy Spirit “to be with you forever,” to “teach you all things,” and to “guide you into all the truth” (John 14:16, 26, 16:13). The Holy Spirit’s ministry began in a special way on Pentecost (Acts 2) and has continued throughout the Church age. The New Testament indicates that the Church is “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15) and “the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
All this indicates providential care and guidance extending throughout the Christian age and including the age of the Church Fathers. Consequently, we would be foolish to ignore the writings of this period.
Third, the age of the Fathers was one in which supremely important questions were worked out, including the divinity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity.
Fourth, the Fathers were the bearers of the apostolic Tradition that allowed the canon of Scripture to be discerned (see Day 247). Without them, we wouldn’t even know the canon.
Although no one Father, individually, may be relied upon the way the inspired authors of the New Testament can be, the Fathers as a group represent an indispensible witness to the Christian faith.
TIP
For information on the teachings of the Church Fathers,
see Jimmy Akin, The Fathers Know Best.