ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to explore some of the theoretical issues raised when the author addressed the Patristic Conference four years ago — in other words, to read the Apostolic Constitutions with an awareness of that constellation of things referred to as post-modern critical theory. The Apostolic Constitutions must have been compiled in order to preserve and supersede previous documents carrying apostolic authority. Traditions were gathered and given scriptural backing so as to create a community more in line with what was perceived to be apostolic intention. The Apostolic Constitutions, like the Pastoral Epistles, would be regarded by feminist critics as a text to be approached with deep suspicion. One of the most important themes in the Apostolic Constitutions is knowledge. The interesting thing about the Apostolic Constitutions is what it takes for granted: namely that these overlapping discourses make sense, despite their oddity in terms of the actual institutions of the Graeco-Roman world.
