Pseudo-Ignatius Explained

Pseudo-Ignatius was a 4th-century writer who claimed to be Ignatius of Antioch. He is the author of the Ignatian forgeries but he also wrote the Apostolic Constitutions and a Commentary on Job.^[1] Harnack also identified Pseudo-Clement with Pseudo-Ignatius.^[2] Pseudo-Ignatius has some Arian leanings but is not completely Arian; on the other hand, he in some ways resembles the Apollinarians. However it is not possible to draw clear conclusions on his Christology.^{[3] [4] [5]}

According to Bart D. Ehrman, the writer likely claimed the name Ignatius to bolster his own theological views.

Theology

Pseudo-Ignatius opposed asceticism and he had Arian leanings.^{[3] [6]} In the Apostolic Constitutions, he held 1-3 Maccabees, 1-2 Clement and possibly Judith as canonical (however some manuscripts lack Judith), but denied the canonical status of the Book of Revelation.^[7]

Pseudo-Ignatius in the Apostolic Constitutions affirmed paedocommunion,^[8] and baptism by immersion.^[9]

Writings

Six epistles are generally attributed to Pseudo-Ignatius:

• Epistle to the Tarsians
• Epistle to the Antiochians
• Epistle to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch
• Epistle to the Philippians
• Epistle of Mary of Cassobola to Ignatius
• Epistle of Ignatius to Mary of Cassobloa

Four other epistles were added to the corpus in the late medieval era. They were originally written in Latin, and are not believed to be by the same author:^[3]

• First Epistle to St. John
• Second Epistle to St. John
• Epistle of Ignatius to the Virgin Mary
• Epistle of the Virgin Mary to Ignatius

In modern times, two other works have been attributed to the fourth-century author, though they were not circulated under Ignatius' name:

• The Apostolic Constitutions
• A commentary on the Book of Job

Pseudo-Ignatius is also believed to have interpolated the genuine letters of Ignatius.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: Still . Todd D. . Todd D. Still . Wilhite . David E. . The Apostolic Fathers and Paul . 1 December 2016 . . 978-0-567-67230-8 . en.
2. Book: Schaff, Philip . The History of the Christian Church: Vol.1-8: The Account of the Christianity from the Apostles to the Reformation . 2019-12-18 . e-artnow . en.
3. Book: Ehrman, Bart D. . Bart D. Ehrman . 10 January 2013 . Forgery and Counter-forgery: The Use of Literary Deceit in Early Christian Polemics . . . 978-0-19-992803-3.
4. Book: Young . F. . Studia Patristica: Papers presented at the Fourteeneth International Conference on Patristic Studies Held in Oxford 2003 . Edwards . Mark J. . Parvis . Paul M. . 2006 . Peeters . 978-90-429-1885-6 . en.
5. Book: Jasper . Ronald Claud Dudley . Prayers of the Eucharist: early and reformed . Cuming . G. J. . Liturgical Press . 1990 . 978-0-8146-6085-0 . 100.
6. Book: Anonymous . Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. VII, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles.
7. Web site: The Canon of Scripture according to "The Apostolic Canons" . 2022-06-17 . www.bible-researcher.com.
8. Book: Hammond, Geordan . John Wesley in America: Restoring Primitive Christianity . April 2014 . OUP Oxford . 978-0-19-870160-6 . en.
9. Book: Schreiner . Thomas R. . Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ . Wright . Shawn . 2007-01-01 . B&H Publishing Group . 978-1-4336-6905-7 . en.