What are Church Fathers? Is this just another name for priests?
The title of Church Fathers refers to a select group of theologians who lived in the first eight centuries. They were outstanding authorities on church doctrine and practice and had enormous influence. Their unanimous acceptance of certain doctrines as being divinely revealed was taken as evidence that these were taught by the church as being in line with apostolic tradition and Scripture. Doctrines and teaching they rejected were considered heresy.
Fathers of the Church were distinguished by their orthodox teaching, their holiness and the recognition by others of their authority and knowledge. Their writing and preaching was often quoted as authoritative and set the standard for theological expression. The writings of the Church Fathers are not free from error in all aspects of faith, but they do form a significant body of work that helps us understand the teaching of the early church. They also connect us as closely as possible to the teaching of the apostles and the first disciples.
Some Church Fathers are quite familiar to us: St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Gregory, St. Basil, just to name a few. Their preaching and writing shaped much of the church’s theology.
©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc
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