Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers

This is one of those paradigm-changing books. At least, its the one that has brought me closest to converting from Baptistic evangelicalism to Orthodoxy (or, to a lesser extent, Catholicism). The letters of St. Ignatius were particularly troubling - in a good way. I was taken aback by his hardcore bishop-and-eucharistic centered theology, as well as his clearly defined tripartite form of church government of bishop, priest and deacon. His letters, which also powerfully attest to the martyr spirituality of the early church, really caused me to re-think whether congregationalism is right interpretation of Scripture. I mean, exegeting the Scriptures alone doesn't seem to yield a single conclusion, but to have a record of an episcopal form of church government from a bishop who was purportedly acquainted with the Apostle John... well that's got to count for something, right? All of the works in this volume are elegantly translated, and would do any Christian a world of good to read, especially evangelicals who are wanting to be introduced to the writings of the Church Fathers and who don't know where to start. Without question, this is the book to begin with, for the best, and earliest source materials, in an easy to read, yet intelligent, translation.

An excellent introduction to the apostolic fathers, including very helpful introductions and footnotes for context, and a much more modern translation of texts than is found in the Loeb Classical Library.

Since I'm only beginning to study the history of the early church, I can't comment on the omissions other reviewers here cite as this book's major flaw. But I can say that the documents included in the book offer the average reader a fascinating insight into the beliefs, pracices and history of the earliest post-Apostolic church. And for religious polemicists, these documents show that it was not a congregationalist, Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide church that enshrined the right of the individual believer to interpret and practice the Faith according to his conscience. This was a hierarchical, sacramental, united church which believed in the necessity of works in addition to faith and believed that its gold standard of truth and teaching authority resided in the Apostolic succession of its bishops. Since some of the Church Fathers included in this book had actually known the Apostles or men who had been taught by the Apostles, this view of Christianity has to be given the greatest weight as that intended by Christ. Roman Catholic apologists specifically will also find support in the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians (circa 96 AD) in which the bishop of Rome involves himself in the affairs of the Corinthian church and adjudicates their dispute. Whatever your religious perspective though, this book is a wonderfully informative glimpse into a age most people only know about through the filter of technicolor Hollywood epics (Quo Vadis) or the bare-bones hagiographies of martyrs.

This book contains many post-apostolic writings of the early church. Most were written very soon after the apostolic age however. The translation and footnotes are for the most part rendered in modern English and flow well. The footnotes and introductions to each book are helpful. This would be a good book to buy if you wish to begin studying the early church.