First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

8

First Christian Voices

Related to our day, we continue to see heretical teachings and beliefs about Jesus. For instance, the observational study conducted by Lifeway Research and Ligonier from 2016–2022 has consistently shown that the majority of evangelicals in America believe Jesus was the first being created by God. 7 This false teaching has its roots all the way back to the second century. Additionally, many new religious movements such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Oneness Pentecostalism all share similar false teachings about Jesus refuted in the Apostolic Fathers.

Table 2: Christological Heresies 8

Time Period (AD)

Heresy

Description

Second century

Christ appeared to have flesh, but was actually a ghost. Impersonal power comes on Jesus, who has lived a holy life, and God adopts him as a son. One God expressed in three different types or modes. God the Father enters Mary’s womb, suffers, dies, and rises from the dead. Christ is subordinate to the Father and is a created being.

Docetism

Second century

Adoptionism

Second century Second century

Modalism

Monarchianism

320s

Arianism

Christ is human and his soul is replaced with the Logos.

380s

Apollonarianism

7 For more information, go to www.thestateoftheology.com. 8 Adapted from Michael T. Cooper, Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement (Littleton, CO: William Carey, 2020).