Narcissists & Sociopaths / the Martyrdom of Ignatius

QUESTION & ANSWER

Q&A 1667—Narcissists and Sociopaths

I have a very strong aversion to people that could be diagnosed as sociopathic / psychopathic. Something inside me tells me to avoid such people completely. Their lack of empathy and disrespect for others' effectively reduces them to the level of animals (at least in my mind)—a reptile lacking a soul... I have slightly less aversion to narcissists, whom I still see as human beings, capable of compassion and empathy. My conscience is conflicted! I know we're called to love our neighbors, but my heart is quick to put an asterisk on such people. Any thoughts? — G. S.

Only that you are right to be cautious. You're using the good mind the Lord gave you. You’re aiming to be wise as a serpent (and innocent as a dove). I know that you are a loving person. Thanks for your honesty!

We all have different levels of empathy (I wish I had more!). But there are true psychopaths and sociopaths out there. You may recall that I once spent the better part of an hour with a notorious serial killer… KEEP READING

Q&A 1668—Flat Earth, revisited

I just acquired a book, The Greatest Lie on Earth: Proof that Our World Is Not a Moving Globe, by Edward Hendrie. I believe the facts Hendrie presents align with the biblical authors’: a flat earth covered with a dome or firmament. Have you read it? I am very curious what you think.

Next week’s Q&As: Was Joanna the manager of Herod’s household? and What ever happened to the people raised to life in Matthew 27?

EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITINGS (7)

There’s much we can learn from the early church—both good and bad! If you’ve just started reading this series, the first 6 installments are in the previous 6 newsletters.

The Ante-Nicene Fathers (ANF) contain three letters of Ignatius in Syriac, although they are missing many sentences and chapters. They are his epistles to Polycarp, the Ephesians, and the Romans. We have already glanced at these letters (the original Greek versions), so there’s no need for further comment.

In addition to the 7 genuine letters of Ignatius en route from Antioch to Rome, there are 8 more found in the Ante-Nicene Fathers—yet they’re not authentic. Christian writers never mention them before the 6th century. They are Tarsians, Antiochians, the Epistle to Hero (a Deacon of Antioch), Philippians, the Epistle of Maria the Proselyte to Ignatius, the Epistle of Ignatius to Mary at Neapolis, the Epistle of Ignatius to John the Apostle, and a Second Epistle of Ignatius to John. Still, I will proffer some excerpts, since they do shed light on how some Christians were thinking four centuries after the time of Ignatius.

Tarsians: “Honor those [who continue] in virginity, as the priestesses of Christ; and the widows [that persevere] in gravity of behavior, as the altar of God” (ch. ix). Notice the premium placed on virginity (not abstinence before marriage, but permanent abstinence). This emphasis had become stronger and stronger from the 2nd century onward. Widows too were to be honored.

The Epistle of Maria the Proselyte to Ignatius defends neophyte leaders (ch. ii). Although the Bible warns against this (1 Tim 3:6), in time the church gave more and more responsibility (unbiblical amounts!) to younger and younger men. This, in my view, comes with many risks.

The Epistle of Ignatius to John the Apostle praises Mary: “She is the lady of our new religion and repentance, and the handmaid among the faithful of all works of piety… As we are informed by those worthy of credit, there is in Mary the mother of Jesus an angelic purity of nature allied with the nature of humanity. And such reports as these have greatly excited our emotions, and urge us eagerly to desire a sight of this (if it be lawful so to speak) heavenly prodigy and most sacred marvel.”

Along with an escalating appreciation of virginity, Mary the mother of Jesus is increasingly revered in the 2nd century. By the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), she will be officially declared “God-bearer.”

The Martyrdom of Ignatius: This document may not have been written until the 6^th century. It specifies that Ignatius was executed on 20 December, in the ninth year of Trajan, who was emperor 98-117 AD. If correct, that makes his martyrdom in the year 107.

According to this medieval document, Ignatius appears to some after his death. We detect greater and greater amounts of legendary material every century as we move away from the apostolic era.

Next week: the meaty Epistle of Barnabas

LIGHT-HEARTED LIMERICKS (3)

• Though branded a heretic, Arius / Still championed his views so precarious. / And stout Athanasius / Was not feeling gracious, / But cried, “Arius does it to harry us!” — Casey Renn

• I think it exceedingly odd / That a divinity professor named Dodd / Should spell, if you please, / His name with two d’s / When one is sufficient for God.

• Said Nero to one of his train, / “These Christians will surely refrain, / Encased as they are / In coatings of tar, / From burning my city again.”

Key: 1st limerick: Arius was the 4th-century heretic who claimed that the Son of God was not eternal, but created; he was opposed by Athanasius. 2nd: Divinity is a virtual synonym for theology. 3rd: After the fire of July, 64 AD, Nero blamed the Christians, coating some in tar and igniting them to illuminate the imperial gardens.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed these three weeks of limerick levity!

GOOD-BYE FOR NOW