BUG/QUESTION re: Factbook definition of Church Father

MJ. Smith
MJ. Smith Member, MVP Posts: 53,069 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited November 21 in English Forum

The Factbook list of 1st century Church Fathers includes Barnabas which I've always seen classified as "apostle" (one of the 70) and never as "church father". Why is he included i.e. how are you defining "church father". Is it because of his association with the 2nd century "Letter of Barnabas"? Note I was also surprised to see Dionysius the Areopagite in the list although this could be "justified" by conflating him with pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite.

In the list of the 2nd century Church Fathers, why are these fathers omitted:

  • Polycarp of Smyrna
  • Hermas author of The Shepherd of Hermas

Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

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Comments

  • Jimmy Parks
    Jimmy Parks Member, Logos Employee Posts: 113

    Thank you for pointing these out MJ. 
    From what I can see, it looks like you are correct about Barnabas and Dionysius the Areopagite. The writing associated with them are what lead to their inclusion. 
    We don't have an equivalent list of apostles which Barnabas could be listed under, but we will rectify his inclusion since he is most often listed as an apostle. 
    For Polycarp, he is listed among the 1st century Church father because of his birthdate most likely. 
    And Hermas needs to be added. This was an oversight I'm sure. 

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