DAY 280 CHALLENGE “Why should I care about the Church Fathers? They aren’t inspired like the New Testament authors.” DEFENSE The Church Fathers were writers in the early centuries who were notable for their holiness and soundness of teaching. They are important for a number of reasons. First, they were closer in time and in culture to the New Testament authors, and their writings provide context needed to understand aspects of the New Testament. The writings of the Church Fathers— together with ancient Jewish sources—are the two most important groups of writings for this purpose. Ancie…