Ignatius of Antioch and the Deity of Christ

 

In this article, I will be giving some passages from the church father Ignatius of Antioch which prove that he clearly viewed Jesus as being God incarnate. This refutes the common myth that Nicea "invented" the deity of Christ, when in reality the earliest generation of Christians from the beginning clearly viewed Christ as God. I will also be providing some quotes from church historians and scholars on their views considering Ignatius' christology. 

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled grace." (Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 1)

"There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first possible and then impossible, — 19 even Jesus Christ our Lord." (Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 7)

"For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Ghost" (Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 18)

"...and are entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of time, and in the end was revealed." (Epistle to the Magnesians, Chapter 6)

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God...." (Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 1)

"Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes; impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes." (Epistle to Polycarp, Chapter 3)

Now, here are some quotes from church historians and scholars concerning the theology of Ignatius regarding the person of our Lord Jesus:

" Ignatius even declares that He is 'our God', describing Him as 'God incarnate' (en sarki genomenos theos) and 'God made manifest as man' (theou anthropinos phaneroumenou). He was 'in spirit (pneumatikos) united with the Father'. In His pre-existent being 'ingenerate' {agennetos: the technical term reserved to distinguish the increate God from creatures), He was the timeless, invisible, impalpable, impassible one Who for our sakes entered time and became visible, palpable and passible. His divine Sonship dates from the incarnation." (J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines, pg. 92)

"The Christology of Ignatius is exceedingly clear as to both the divinity and humanity of Christ." (Johannes Quasten, Patrology, Vol. 1, pg. 65)