By Isaac
One of the fundamental consistencies one finds when looking to the Apostles, the Fathers and Martyrs, the Saints of all ages, and the Reformers, is a radical Christo-centricity. In fact, it could be argued that whenever reform, renewal, or repentance has taken place under the provocation and guidance of the Spirit, it has been nothing less but a returning to a Christo-centricity that had been strayed from.
Thus, whatever Reformed Catholicism is, it must always see itself in the light of this radical Way. All things must be brought under the subjection of Christ: every word, thought, deed, action, man, and institution–everything must answer to Christ.
With that said I would like to occasionally post short quotations which remind us of this reality of the faith of the church. These quotes will be random and occasional, which means as I am studying and I come across them I will try to post them. All one has to do is read St. Athanasius’s “On the Incarnation” to feel this Christo-centricity, so I will try to be selective and give quotes that might me a bit rarer to many readers.
I am doing my Master’s Thesis on Ignatius and I came across a quote from a theologian named Cyril Richardson who noted this Christo-Centricity in Ignatius. I could quote Ignatius himself, but like I said here is a quote others may never come across.
“By far the most frequent phrase [Ignatius uses to speak of the unity of the Christian with Christ] is the phrase ‘in Jesus Christ,’ which occurs some twenty-five times, and is used with much of the full and rich meaning of its Pauline antecedent, ‘in Christ.’ It signifies ‘to be under the control of Christ.’ That this relationship presupposes obedience is clear in Eph. 11.2. There, to be under the influence of Christ is closely connected with being in agreement with the Apostles, to whose commandments the Christian must be submissive, as the Apostles themselves were obedient to Jesus Christ….Ignatius’s whole life and future hope indeed are controlled by Christ: his suffering and his resurrection. Similarly the worship and prayer of the Christian community are under the influence of Christ.”
Solus Christus
