Chronological List of Early Church Fathers on “Invocation” or “Calling Upon the Name of the Lord”
The concept of “invocation” in the patristic era often refers to calling upon God’s name in prayer, worship, confession, or salvation, echoing biblical phrases like Genesis 4:26, Romans 10:13, and Joel 2:32. It emphasizes faith, public profession, and dependence on God (or Christ as Lord). Below is a comprehensive list of key Early Church Fathers (1st-5th centuries) who addressed this, organized chronologically by their lifetimes. I’ve included brief contexts and major quotes from their writings, focusing on direct references. This draws from primary texts and scholarly analyses, representing Apostolic Fathers, Apologists, and Nicene/Post-Nicene figures.
- Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–c. 107 AD, Apostolic Father and Martyr)
Context: In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Ignatius praises the church’s reputation as “beloved in God,” linking it to righteousness and faith in Christ. While not a direct treatise on invocation, he ties the acquisition of a godly “name” to living in Christ’s love, implying a communal calling upon God.
Major Quote: “I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which you have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Savior.” 20 (Epistle to the Ephesians, Ch. 1) - Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD, Apologist and Martyr)
Context: In his Dialogue with Trypho, Justin contrasts walking in the name of false gods with true invocation of the Lord, using Old Testament prophecies to affirm Christ’s divinity and the call to worship Him. He also quotes Psalms to show how priests like Moses and Samuel called upon God effectively.
Major Quotes:- “Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name; they called on the Lord, and He heard them.” (Quoting Psalm 99:6 in First Apology, Ch. 64) 35
- “For all people will walk in the name of their gods; but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever.” (Dialogue with Trypho, Ch. 118) 31
- Irenaeus of Lyon (c. 130–202 AD, Anti-Gnostic Theologian and Bishop)
Context: In Against Heresies, Irenaeus invokes God directly in prayer, addressing Him as the God of the patriarchs and Father of Christ, modeling invocation as recognition of God’s sovereignty. He also emphasizes the power of Jesus’ name in conferring salvation and healing.
Major Quotes:- “Wherefore I do also call upon you, Lord God of Abraham, and God of Isaac, and God of Jacob and Israel, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God who, through the abundance of Your mercy, has had a favor towards us…” (Against Heresies, Book III, Ch. 6) 40
- “If, therefore, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ even now confers benefits [upon men], and cures thoroughly and effectively all who anywhere believe in Him…” (Against Heresies, Book II, Ch. 32) 42
- Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD, Apologist and Theologian)
Context: In his treatise On Prayer, Tertullian expounds the Lord’s Prayer as the model for invocation, beginning with addressing God as Father and hallowing His name. He views this as a spiritual discipline that sanctifies the believer and contrasts with pagan practices.
Major Quotes:- “The prayer begins with a testimony to God, and with the reward of faith, when we say, ‘Our Father who art in the heavens’; for [in so saying], we at once pray to God, and commend faith…” (On Prayer, Ch. 2) 50
- On hallowing the name: “We are bidden to hallow God’s name… that we may be holy even as He is holy.” (On Prayer, adapted from Ch. 3) 55
- Origen (c. 185–253 AD, Alexandrian Theologian and Exegete)
Context: In his writings, Origen interprets “calling upon the name” as a promise of universal salvation and service to God, drawing from Zephaniah. He also discusses the power of Christ’s name in Christian identity and prayer, distinguishing true disciples who know heavenly mysteries.
Major Quotes:- “Consider carefully the promise, that all shall call upon the Name of the Lord, and serve him with one consent.” (On First Principles, referencing Zephaniah 3:9) 70
- “To be and to be called a Christian is to take on the name of Jesus, the Christ made man. The name of Christ carries power…” (Commentary on Matthew, Book XI) 71 (Adapted: On being called vs. being a disciple.)
- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258 AD, Bishop and Martyr)
Context: In his treatise On the Lord’s Prayer, Cyprian teaches that believers, sanctified in Christ’s name, should invoke God as Father, giving thanks and professing sonship. He quotes Psalms to link invocation with sacrifice and martyrdom.
Major Quotes:- “I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Epistle 76, quoting Psalm 116:13-15) 60
- “The man, therefore, who has believed in His name, and has become God’s son, ought from this point to begin both to give thanks and to profess himself God’s son, by declaring that God is his Father in heaven.” (On the Lord’s Prayer, Ch. 11) 65
- Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD, Anti-Arian Theologian and Bishop)
Context: In his Festal Letters and On the Incarnation, Athanasius stresses departing from iniquity for those who name the Lord, and links invocation to prophecies of Christ’s name (Emmanuel). He sees calling on God as tied to recognizing the Son’s divinity.
Major Quotes:- “The foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His; and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (Festal Letter 11, quoting 2 Timothy 2:19) 80
- “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Emmanuel.” (On the Incarnation, Ch. 6, quoting Isaiah 7:14) 81
- Basil the Great (c. 330–379 AD, Cappadocian Father and Bishop)
Context: In his Divine Liturgy and writings on the Holy Spirit, Basil portrays invocation as exclusive worship of God, calling upon His name alone. He affirms the Spirit as Lord, enabling true prayer.
Major Quotes:- “You are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your name.” (Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil) 90
- “The Spirit is called on as Lord of life… The Lord is that Spirit; and again, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” (On the Holy Spirit, Ch. 21) 95
- Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329–390 AD, Cappadocian Father and Theologian)
Context: In his Theological Orations, Gregory interprets Genesis 4:26 as Enos hoping to call upon God’s name, emphasizing hope in invocation over mere knowledge. He sees it as a commended act of faith.
Major Quote: “Thus Enos hoped to call upon the Name of the Lord. Hope was that for which he is commended; and that, not that he should know God, but that he should call upon Him.” (Second Theological Oration, Oration 28) 110 - Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD, Theologian and Bishop)
Context: In The City of God and sermons, Augustine links Genesis 4:26 to humanity’s hope in God amid corruption, equating invocation with departing from iniquity and practical faith leading to salvation.
Major Quotes:- “He hoped to call upon the name of the Lord God.” (The City of God, Book XV, Ch. 18, on Enos as symbol of turning to God) 0 (From initial search; expanded here.)
- “If he would that the Name of the Lord should profit him, let him that calls upon the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (Sermon 21 on the New Testament) 101
- “Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved.” (On Romans 10:13, in various sermons) 100
This list covers major patristic voices across sub-apostolic, ante-Nicene, and Nicene periods, showing a consistent theme of invocation as prayerful dependence on God/Christ. While some quotes reference Scripture, they illustrate patristic application. If you’d like expansions on specific fathers or later periods, let me know!
