Dominus Paradoxum

After reading Bernard Muller's critique a while ago, I became convinced that all of the Ignatian epistles are most likely forgeries. So I want to start a discussion here: Do you think the epistles are authentic? What are the best arguments pro and con?

Peter Kirby

The classical discussion of authenticity in English, supporting authenticity, is by Lightfoot in the Apostolic Fathers. It isn't all online yet. If you are interested, check out the volumes dealing with Ignatius at a library.

Of course, those who dispute authenticity will say that it is outmoded or outdated, or whatever, but it is still the first place to go for someone who is new to the topic. Then I would suggest reading someone who disagrees who interacts with the literature. Muller does not.

(There is the wrinkle of a possibility that some were by Ignatius, some were not. A recent author suggested that only three were by Ignatius.)

best,
Peter Kirby

Toto

Which recent author is that?

Peter Kirby

I believe that Hermann Detering has something on his site that briefly deals with the Ignatian epistles. (In fact, I know so. I helped to translate it. It is here.)

best,
Peter Kirby

Peter Kirby

Ah, perhaps it was that four of the seven are authentic, according to one. J. Rius-Camps, The Four Authentic Letters of Ignatius, the Martyr. Christianismos 2. Rome: Pontificium Institutum Orientalium Studiorum, 1979. pp.413.

best,
Peter Kirby

GakuseiDon

FWIW, Doherty writes in his book (p55, 305-308) that the letters are genuine, and written around 108 CE. "Ignatius... believes in a Jesus born of Mary, baptized by John, executed by Pilate in the days of Herod".

andrewcriddle

I am convinced that (at least most) of the Ignatian Epistles are authentic, ie written by Ignatius the martyred bishop of Antioch. However the traditional date is less certain.

The first unambiguous claims that Ignatius was executed in the reign of Trajan are rather late and it is possible that he actually died sometime during the first half of the reign of Hadrian.

Andrew Criddle

yummyfur

for balance

If someone wants some classic arguments against the authenticity of all the Ignatian Epistles in English translation, then find a copy of Ferdinand Baur's "Church History of the First Three Centuries".

From a different perspective, also is William Killen in "The Ignatian Epistles Entirely Spurious, A Reply to The Right Rev. Dr. Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham." it is on the web at:
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/8igep10.txt

fta

For more Victorian-era arguments against the authenticity see also W.R. Cassels' Supernatural Religion and A Reply to Dr Lightfoot's Essays.

Ted Hoffman

Calvin, the head of the Protestant religion, believed they were *all* forgeries. He wrote: "There is nothing more abominable than that trash which is in circulation under the name of Ignatius". Eusebius named only 7 and by the time of Luther, they were around 14 un number.