Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 1) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Epistle of Barnabas and the Fragments of Papias.
Today we first read the Epistle of Barnabas. The author divides it into two parts. The first part is primarily concerned to show how Jewish practices have been abolished and to interpret many parts of the law allegorically. The second part of the epistle is much shorter and describes the way of light and the way of darkness.
Secondly, today, we read the fragments of Papias, which are indeed fragmentary. They give some information about the apostles and the early church and also some eschatological teachings, including premillenialism: 'there will be a millennium after the resurrection from the dead, when the personal reign of Christ will be established on this earth.'
Particularly the many strange interpretations of Old Testament laws which are based on false scientific facts: 'Moreover, “Thou shall not eat the hyena.” He means, “Thou shall not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor be like to them that are such.” Wherefore? Because that animal annually changes its sex, and is at one time male, and at another female. Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel. For he means, “Thou shalt not be like to those whom we hear of as committing wickedness with the mouth,on account of their uncleanness; nor shall thou be joined to those impure women who commit iniquity with the mouth. For this animal conceives by the mouth.”'
Thankfully the early church had better sense than to include such an odd book in the canon.
Next week's reading
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