In the Footsteps of Paul: Scriptural and Apostolic Authority in Ignatius of Antioch

Abstract

Although they agree that the writings of Ignatius make frequent use of Pauline language and reflect seemingly little interest in the Jewish scriptural tradition, scholars frequently ignore these issues when discussing points of contact between the written gospels and the Ignatian correspondence. This article argues that there are in fact few such uses of written "Christian" materials in the letters of Ignatius and that his infrequent reliance on the Jewish Scriptures derives from a desire to subordinate the Old Testament to other sources of authority. The letters of Ignatius thus reflect a transitional state in early Christianity wherein the phrasing of Paul's writings serves as a normative exemplar, although there is not yet any reference to exclusively Christian written authorities.