By Isaac
Here is another small quote I picked up in my studies of Ignatius. This one is by a theologian named Raymond Johanny and is found in his essay on Ignatius and the Eucharist which can be found in the Book “The Eucharist of the Early Christians.”
“Ignatius’ thinking is eminently Christological; he sees all aspects of the Christian life as forming an interlocking whole, so that if one denies any aspect of the mystery of Christ, one will ultimately be led to a denial of the reality of Christ himself in his fullness. “
This would explain why the early church fought against heresy so fervently. The heretics ultimately represent a road that would result in denying the historical and real person of Jesus Christ in all the fullness of the mystery of His revelation. To deny his full humanity, or his full deity; to speak perversely about his eternal relationship as the Son to the Father; to reject his sufficiency and supremacy was seen by the Apostles and the early church as a poison that would seep into the church and begin to corrupt its very heart.
And one more quote from the same book:
“There can be no doubt that in Ignatius’ mind his desire for martydom is the logical result of a movement toward God, a thirst for God, that urges him to perfect imitation of and identification with Christ. Martydom is simply the imitation of Christ in his passion and sacrifice.”
Solus Christus
