TIP OF THE DAY 131: Church fathers' time eras
I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day (when it doesn't time out)
QUESTION: What Biblical historical eras were promoted by early church fathers?
SOFTWARE: I got poor results from the smart all search. Perplexity when asked Besides Augustine, did any church fathers divide Biblical history into eras?
ANSWER: Summary Table
Church Father | Framework/Division | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Irenaeus | Four Covenants: Adam, Noah, Moses, Christ | Focused on covenants as stages of salvation history |
Clement of Alexandria | Six Periods: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Prophets, Christ | History as divine pedagogy |
Eusebius | Epochs: Creation-Flood, Flood-Abraham, Abraham-Moses, Moses-David, etc. | Aligned biblical events with secular history |
Cyprian | Seven Dispensations: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Prophets, Christ | Similar to Augustine but includes a distinct prophetic period |
Hippolytus | Six Millennia: Based on genealogies and creation days | Viewed history as progressing toward eternal rest |
Lactantius | Six Ages/Millennia: Corresponding to creation days | Culminates in the seventh millennium as eternal rest |
QUESTION: Describe Augustine’s six eras corresponding to the six days of creation.
ANSWER: from Perplexity:
Augustine's Six Ages of the World
Days | Description | Approximate Dates | Theological Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
First Age | From Adam to Noah (Antediluvian period) | Creation – 2458 BC | Humanity's creation, fall into sin, and God's judgment through the flood. |
Second Age | From Noah to Abraham | 2458 BC – 2091 BC | The reestablishment of humanity after the flood and God's covenant with Noah. |
Third Age | From Abraham to David | 2091 BC – 1010 BC | The establishment of God's covenant with Abraham and the beginning of Israel as God's chosen people. |
Fourth Age | From David to the Babylonian Captivity | 1010 BC – 586 BC | The Davidic Covenant, establishing God's promise of an eternal kingdom, and Israel's eventual exile for sin. |
Fifth Age | From the Babylonian Captivity to Jesus Christ | 586 BC – 4 BC | The anticipation of the Messiah, with prophecy and hope for redemption during a time of foreign domination. |
Sixth Age | From Jesus Christ to the Second Coming | 4 BC – Present | The fulfillment of God's promises through Christ, the spread of the Gospel, and humanity's preparation for eternity. |
Notes:
- Augustine's framework parallels the six days of creation, with each age representing a "day" in salvation history.
- The Seventh Age (not included in this table) represents eternal rest after the Final Judgment, corresponding to the Sabbath.
- Theological significance emphasizes God's progressive revelation and redemptive plan throughout history.
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."
Comments
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Very interesting, many thanks!
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