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Glite Dictionary
Apostolic Father

Apostolic Father

9.9
An early church writer who has a link to an Apostle or their close students and writes about the faith
  • noun
  • /ˌæpəˈstɑlɪk ˈfɑðər/
  • Formal
translation icon : Padre apostólico
  • The writings of the Apostolic Fathers provide insight into early Christianity.

Examples

  • The writings of the Apostolic Fathers provide insight into the development of early Christian doctrine.

  • Ignatius of Antioch is considered an Apostolic Father.

  • Polycarp is considered an Apostolic Father because of his connection to the original Apostles.

  • Scholars believe that Clement of Rome was an Apostolic Father deeply influential in the early church.

  • The teachings of the Apostolic Fathers greatly influenced early Christian doctrine.

  • Many early Christian communities looked to the Apostolic Fathers for guidance in faith.

  • Scholars often study the texts attributed to the Apostolic Fathers to better understand the roots of Christian beliefs.

Synonyms

Father
vsApostolic Father
  • Formal
29 9.3

An early Christian writer whose ideas shaped church teaching

is regarded as having had direct contact with the apostles or their immediate disciples
Church Father
vsApostolic Father
  • Formal
3 9.9

A Christian writer from the early centuries whose writings help shape church teaching

is regarded as having had direct contact with the apostles or their immediate disciples
Father of the Church
vsApostolic Father
  • Formal
1 9.9

A leading early Christian writer whose teachings helped form church beliefs

is regarded as having had direct contact with the apostles or their immediate disciples

Surface Forms

Apostolic Father singular
Apostolic Fathers plural

Morphology

apostolic + Father

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'apostolic' (relating to the Apostles) combined with 'Father' (a title for early church theologians) straightforwardly yields 'an early church theologian associated with the Apostles.' Although the term is specialized and historical, its meaning can be derived directly from the constituent words and would be understandable to a learner who knows both parts.

Etymology

Apostolic Father, from Apostolic and Father, names an early church leader who had a direct link to the Apostles. Imagine a teacher who learned straight from the Apostles and then acted like a 'father' by passing their teaching on, so the term means a writer or leader close to the original Apostles.