In Early Christian Thinkers: The Lives and Legacies of Twelve Key Figures edited by Paul Foster the chapter on Hippolytus of Rome is written by Ulrich Volp.

I am reading this book as a novice in church history. Each chapter seems to be designed to address such a reader as myself. I think this one on Hippolytus of Rome failed. I don’t know how much there is to say about Hippolytus, but Volp spends most of the chapter addressing questions concerning the authenticity of writings attributed to Hippolytus as well as some statue said to be of the man that was likely one of a woman.

It seems like Hippolytus should be an interesting figure. Volp says he has been called, “…first ever antipope, most quoted early church figure at the Second Vatican Council, only every canonized antipope, first heresiograph, most important herisiologist, first Christian exegete, first apocalytpic eschatologist without belief in the apocalypse, only Church Father represented by a contemporary female statue, martyr, villain and saint…(p. 141). Sadly, I didn’t learn much about all these amazing titles. Volp talks about Hippolytus likely being a presbyter in Rome who was in some conflict with the Bishops of his day (p. 142). His writings were referenced at the Second Vatican Council though many are unsure of the authenticity of this or that work. He put together quite a picture of the “antiChrist (p. 150-151).” He was a better hersiologist than Irenaeus and he seems to have better understood Gnosticism that his contemporaries (151-152).

Unfortunately the chapter is too short for much explanation so there is little details given on Hippolytus’ views.