商品簡介
The study of the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch have long focused on significant problems in authorship and date, but Lotz (church history, London School of Theology) takes a completely different tack and analyzes the texts themselves for the meanings and purposes of those letters to determine the conditions and motivations that produce them. The letters, the last of which was purportedly written just before the martyrdom of St. Ignatius, offer hope in what was then a nearly hopeless situation for early Christians. The saint calls for healing of the discord within the church, and expects that the tenets of Christianity will more than suffice, but he still calls his flock to adhere to doctrine, support each other, and obey church authorities. Lotz's work here is sensitive and perceptive, finding the words of a man who knows he is dying to ring true. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
