Jehovah's Witnesses: Why don't you read The Epistle of St. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans?

Because I strongly hesitate to take seriously such a controversial series of letters. Besides the fact that there have already been 8 of "Ignatius'" supposed letters proven as forgeries and accepted as forgeries by all scholars, there has also been doubt cast upon the authenticity of the remaining epistles as well.

"One authority on the "Fathers" reveals the following about the Ignatian writings, "The epistles ascribed to Ignatius have given rise to more controversy than any other documents connected with the primitive church. As is evident to every reader on the very- first glance at these writings, they contain numerous statements which bear on points of ecclesiastical order that have long divided the Christian world; and a strong temptation has thus been felt to allow some amount of prepossession to enter into the-discussion of their authenticity or spuriousness. At the same time, this question has furnished a noble field for the display of learning and acuteness, and has, in the various forms under which it has been debated, given rise to not a few works of the very highest ability and scholarship... There are, in all fifteen epistles which bear the name of Ignatius, these are the following: One to the Virgin Mary, two to the Apostle John, one to Mary of Cassobelae, one to the Tarsians, one to the Antiochians, one to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch, one to the Philippians; one to the Ephesians, one to the Magnesians, one to the Trallians, one to the Romans, one to the Philadelphians, one to the Smyrneans, and one to Polycarp. The first three exist only in Latin; all the rest are extant also in Greek. It is now the universal opinion of critics, that the first eight of these professedly Ignatian: letters are spurious. They bear in themselves indubitable proofs-of being the production of a later age than that in which Ignatius lived. Neither Eusebius nor Jerome make the least reference to them; and they are now by common consent set aside as forgeries; which were at various dates, and to serve special purposes, put forth under the name of the celebrated Bishop of Antioch. But after the question has been thus simplified, it still remains sufficiently complex. Of the seven epistles which are acknowledged by Eusebius (Hist. Ecll., iii, 36), we possess two Greek rescensions, a shorter and a longer. It is plain that one or other of these exhibits a corrupt text, and scholars have for the most part agreed to accept the shorter form as representing the genuine letters of Ignatius... But although the shorter form of the Ignatian letters had been generally accepted in preference to the longer, there was still a pretty prevalent opinion among scholars, that even it could not be regarded as absolutely free from interpolations, or as of undoubted authenticity." - Ignatius, The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, Editors." (Flemmings)

Also, the following site is an interesting read.

http://www.bible.ca/history-ignatius-forgeries-250...

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John said there were many 'antichrist' living in his day, or the late 1st century.

Thus we aren't surprised to find 'early writings' that disagree with the inspired writings.

Paul said "Flesh and blood can not inherit God's kingdom" and that Jesus was resurrected in a spiritual body.

The fact that Jesus took 'human form' after his resurrection in no way 'proves' that Jesus went to heaven in the flesh.

Just as many angels 'took the form of man' and appeared and ate food, prove that the angels are flesh in heaven.

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Um..no offense but though it might be an interesting read, it doesn't change what the bible teaches. The bible is the only book inspired by God. And the men who wrote the bible were inspired by God. St. Ignatius was not inspired by God.

Since it isn't in the collection known as the Bible, it is of "inferior" value being the opinions of one man who developed his own doctrines and teachings. For example the creation of a cleric system to dominate over the lowly "laity".

This apostasy was “already at work” in Paul’s day. However, it became fully revealed only after the death of Jesus’ true apostles, when the “restraint” of their presence was removed. (2 Thessalonians 2:6, 7) Little by little, a clergy class began to appear. In the early second century C.E., Ignatius, “bishop” of Antioch, wrote about a three-grade hierarchy of bishops, presbyters (priests) and deacons.

The BIBLE, 66 books in KJV and Protestant ones and NWT, are the only inspired Bible books.

That said, I have the whole Ante Nicene Fathers collection and yes, I've read Ignatius....He doesn't believe Jesus is God, but writes against it.

Why don't YOU read it? It is quoted and online copies linked at my website.

http://members.tripod.com/~debbie_pittman/Ignatius...

Debbie

Sorry, Vot never even heard of the guy before seeing your question- or if I did, then I forgot (thanks for teaching me something new)- but just couldn't help chuckling at Nina's answer.

Why shouldn't non-JWs defend JWs?

Why should everyone have the same bile running down their veins as she does whenever it comes to the JWs?

Why doesn't she tell us why she reads the said Epistle.... well, she DOES read it too, no?

Or is she LIKE THE JWs who don't read it either?

LOL

The Epistle of St.Ignatius does not form part of the 66 sacred Books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. 2 Peter 3:16

Jehovah's Witnesses read the Bible because it is inspired by God. Ignatius was not inspired by God. Therefore, he made many errors in his writings.

The letter you are referring to was written about 110 C.E. This was after the foretold Apostasy started.

On who's authority was this man made a saint ? ..... That alone would keep me from reading it beyond the fact that his writings are not inspired scripture from God ........