Social Setting of the Ministry as Reflected in the Writings of Hermas, Clement and Ignatius

Richard C. Smith is a professor of Classics at the University of
Alberta.

This publication of Maier’s Oxford dissertation focuses on the
evidence for the formation of Christian leadership resulting from a
consideration of sociological investigations of the ancient household
rather than roles in the Jewish synagogue or as a strict product of the
theological development. The Shepherd of Hermas, I Clement, and the
Ignatian Epistles are the major areas from which evidence is drawn.
Maier also includes a look at the Graeco-Roman household and the
writings of the Apostle Paul and the Pauline tradition as part of his
study.

Maier points out that debate over the origins and development of
Christian ministry has a long history (from at least Jerome on), but
investigation of the effect of the house-church on that development
beyond New Testament sources has been quite limited. He takes a brief
look at the Greek oikia, the Roman familia, mystery cults, philosophical
schools, and the house synagogue to indicate the controlling role that
such institutions played in ancient social life, and to point out the
leadership and influence of their patrons. He then reviews recent
studies of the Pauline epistles that treat Christianity as a sect and
show the role of hospitality and wealth in the formation of leadership.
Maier regards Colossians, Ephesians, and the Pastoral epistles as
pseudonymous and thus demonstrative of a further stage of leadership by
house-church patrons.

Maier then indicates how the Shepherd of Hermas (dated circa 100 A.D.)
gives evidence of the early church as a sect and the problems caused by
wealthy patrons who made separation from the world difficult. Turning to
the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, he suggests that it
should be interpreted as relating to a dispute between house churches,
thus demonstrating the further institutionalization of Christianity. The
original household leaders have now become presbyters (or elders).

In conclusion, the Ignatian epistles (between A.D. 100 and 113) are
related to the setting of 2nd and 3rd John, and Ignatius himself is
presented as a charismatic bishop attempting to bring the Asian
communities under the control of their local leadership, thus protecting
them from harmful influences. The development of leadership by ever more
powerful bishops is thus shown to be, at least in part, a result of the
sociological nature of the early Christian communities as well as their
beliefs and values.