Fatherly Concern: A Study of the Ante-Nicene Church Fathers with Emphasis on Christology, the Trinity, and the Authority of Scripture

Abstract

There is a common thread found in writings of the earliest Christian theologians. In the years leading up the Council of Nicaea in 325 a substantial amount of Christian literature was produced. This paper will look at select writers from the Ante-Nicene period and focus on their Christology, their views on the Trinity, and their approach to Scripture. It will demonstrate that Christ's divinity was consistently taught and defended from the earliest days of Christianity. It will show that the concept of the Trinity was taught and defended even before the term was coined. Finally an analysis of these writers’ use and views on Scripture will show that they considered it to be God's word and the final say in matters of the Christian life. This will be done through an examination of primary source material. Thought will be given on their literary characteristics and applications made to the life of 21st century Christians.