THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS AND THE APOLOGISTS: THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHRISTIAN PAIDEIA

Abstract

Suggestions on formation provided between the first and second century of the Christian Era by the first generations of Church Fathers who lived with the Apostles or immediately afterwards are discussed. Taking into consideration that the primitive church, in the wake of several setbacks, was nurtured with the ideas and practices of the classical world, adjusting them and incorporating them to the systematization of her doctrine, we will underscore the teachings of Clement of Rome (35 – 97), Ignatius of Antioch (ca. 35 – 107), Justin (72 – 165) and Tatian (120 – 180). We shall insist that, within the process, the issues systematized by Greek intellectuals based on logics and reason were replaced by the Christians´ affective stances, embedded in ‘love’.