The Christology in the Apostolic Fathers

he first group. Clement treated of Christ only indirectly. Christ is the center of thought here. Ignatius, for example, conceives of the work of Christ in a variety of ways. Christ is an example. Christ has died for men. Christ is the giver of life, the Prince of immortality. Christ is the source of blessings. Christ is an object of prayer. In a great number of ways, a central place is given to Christ in these writings. (2) In these writings there is a change in emphasis upon the subordination of Christ. In Clement the subordination of Christ is so emphasized that it holds the prominent place. In these writings, on the contrary, subordination though still present notably recedes. Ignatius does not make subordination emphatic. Polycarp gives still less attention to it, saying only that God raised Christ from the dead, God saves men through Christ, and God gave Christ a throne. And Second Clement has only a few passages from which the idea of subordination can be gained. (3) These writings give a wide extension to the authority of Christ. In Clement the authority of Christ reaches only to the spiritual lives of men. Here Christ is Lord over the whole man, spirit and body. In Clement the authority of Christ is over believers. Here he is Lord over all men. This is the representation of all three of these writers. (4) A greater significance is attached to Christ's work of salvation. Second Clement especially thinks of Christ's saving work in terms of creation....