The Ignatian Epistles Entirely Spurious

The Ignatian Epistles Entirely
Spurious

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Title: The Ignatian Epistles Entirely Spurious
Author: W. D. (William Dool) Killen
Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8908] [This file was first
posted on August 23, 2003]

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IGNATIAN EPISTLES ENTIRELY SPURIOUS ***

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THE IGNATIAN EPISTLES ENTIRELY SPURIOUS.
A Reply to The Right Rev. Dr. Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham.
BY
W. D. KILLEN, D.D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History, and Principal
of the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland.

"As the account of the martyrdom of Ignatius may be justly suspected,
so, too, the letters which presuppose the correctness of this suspicious
legend do not wear at all a stamp of a distinct individuality of character,
and of a man of these times addressing his last words to the Churches."
--AUGUSTUS NEANDER.

EDINBURGH 1886.

PREFACE.
This little volume is respectfully submitted to the candid consideration
of all who take an interest in theological inquiries, under the impression
that it will throw some additional light on a subject which has long
created much discussion. It has been called forth by the appearance of a
treatise entitled, "The Apostolic Fathers,
Part II. S. Ignatius, S. Polycarp. Revised
Texts, with Introductions, Notes, Dissertations, and Translations, by J.

B. Lightfoot, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D, Bishop of Durham." In this
voluminous production the Right Reverend Author has maintained, not
only that all the seven letters attributed by Eusebius to Ignatius are
genuine, but also that "no Christian writings of the second century, and
very few writings of antiquity, whether Christian or pagan, are so well
authenticated." These positions, advocated with the utmost confidence
by the learned prelate, are sure to be received with implicit confidence
by a wide circle of readers; and I have felt impelled here openly to
protest against them, inasmuch as I am satisfied that they cannot be
accepted without overturning all the legitimate landmarks of historical
criticism. I freely acknowledge the eminent services which Dr.
Lightfoot has rendered to the Christian Church by his labours as a
Commentator on Scripture, and it is therefore all the more important
that the serious errors of a writer so distinguished should not be
permitted to pass unchallenged. All who love the faith once delivered
to the saints, may be expected to regard with deference the letters of a
martyr who lived on the borders of the apostolic age; but these Ignatian
Epistles betray indications of a very different original, for they reveal a
spirit of which no enlightened Christian can approve, and promulgate
principles which would sanction the boldest assumptions of
ecclesiastical despotism. In a work published by me many years ago, I
have pointed out the marks of their imposture; and I have since seen no
cause to change my views. Regarding all these letters as forgeries from
beginning to end, I have endeavoured, in the following pages, to expose
the fallacy of the arguments by which Dr. Lightfoot has attempted their
vindication.
ASSEMBLY COLLEGE, BELFAST, July 1886.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
The critical spirit stimulated by the Reformation--The Ignatian Epistles
as regarded by Calvin, Ussher, Vossius, Daillé, Pearson, Wake, and
Cureton--Dr. Lightfoot as a scholar and a commentator-- The valuable

information supplied in his recent work--His estimate of the parties
who have pronounced judgment on the question of the Ignatian
Epistles--His verdict unfair--His introduction of Lucian as a witness in
his favour--The story of Peregrinus--Dr. Lightfoot's cardinal mistake in
his treatment of this question.

CHAPTER II.
THE TESTIMONY OF POLYCARP TO THE IGNATIAN EPISTLES
EXAMINED.
Dr. Lightfoot makes a most unguarded statement as to the Ignatian
Epistles--The letter of Polycarp better authenticated--The date assigned
for the martyrdom of Ignatius--The date of Polycarp's Epistle--Written
in the reign of Marcus Aurelius--Not written in the reign of