Early Christian Writings The Apostolic Fathers

by Andrew Louth (Editor ), Maxwell Staniforth (Translator )

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Religion, Christian

195 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 30, 1987

About the author

Andrew Louth is an Eastern Orthodox theologian and priest of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Reviews

[Jaden Weatherly]

Based and True.

These letters were amazing to read considering how early they were written. Truly enlightening to see Ignatius and Polycarp’s perspective considering their likely proximity to the Apostle John.

The mention of submission to the bishop (especially by Ignatius) is crazy to see so early, however it’s true that Clement seems to use “bishop” interchangeably with “presbyter.” Except Ignatius who’s clearly talking about 3 offices.

It was also stunning to see their perspective on martyrdom. Very little fear, practically begging churches to not interfere, ready to receive the Crown of Life.

Lord, help us!

[Drew Davis]

i quite enjoyed the very aggressively british annotations and notes by the translator

for a wild roller coaster of a night, read the likely-spurious Epistle of Barnabas’ thoughts on Hares, Hyenas, and Weasels

for a gut-wrenching yet encouraging glimpse into true faith and power through the Spirit, read the Martyrdom of Polycarp

[Ethan Royer]

It really is wonderful to read through the early church fathers.

[Craig Dorrian]

Read the early church

[Matthew McGill]

SO fun to read this collection of early church writings! It’s crazy to think I am a part of the same faith as these men were…. 2,000 years ago!

[Adonijah]

This was a banger!
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to the Ephesians: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to the Magnesians: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to the Trallians: 4/5
Ignatius Epistle to the Romans: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to The Philadelphians: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to the Smyrnaeans: 5/5
Ignatius Epistle to Polycarp: 5/5
Polycarps Epistle to the Philippians: 5/5
The Martyrdom of Polycarp: 5/5
The Epistle to Diognetus: 5/5
The Epistle of Barnabas: 3/5
The Didache: 5/5
My favorite was the Martyrdom of Polycarp and my least favorite was the Epistle of Barnabas. Every Christian should read these. 5/5.

[Cade Adkison]

Let Clement cook

[James Horgan]

An important collection of the very earliest Christian writings after the end of the Bible.

The most striking is Clement's First Epistle to the Corinthians. He was clearly familiar with Paul's writings and the letter, or perhaps sermon, is full of the doctrines of justification by faith and the Trinity.

The bulk of the book are letters from Ignatius to various churches in Asia Minor written while he was passing through that area on his way to martyrdom. They are full of pastoral care.

Also included is the famous account of the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Epistle to Diognetus, the Epistle of Barnabas and The Didache.

[Max Herwig]

“A man who has truly mastered the utterances of Jesus will also be able to apprehend His silence, and thus reach spiritual maturity, so that his own words have the force of actions and his silences the significance of speech “

The age old empire of evil was overthrown, for God was now appearing in human form to bring in a new order, even life without end. Now that which had been perfected in the Divine counsels began its work; and all creation was thrown into a ferment over this plan for the utter destruction of death.”

Very interesting and encouraging to read and get a glimpse into early belief and practice

[Derek McHenry]

I wanted to read this to find out what the followers of the apostles and other early Christians thought and believed. It was very interesting to see the consistency of their passion to trust in Christ for salvation and to live a life of obedience to God as best they could. They echoed the biblical epistles and then began to shift into a standard or liturgy of religious practices. Still, in the end it was encouraging to see the writings of some of the very first followers of Jesus Christ.

[Dave Mantese]

Come for Ignatius' beloved chains, Polycarp's "delicious fragrance" of martyrdom and Clement's timely call for Christian unity (in a remarkably early display of papal authority).

Stay for Pseudo-Barnabas explaining how bunnies grow a new anus every year and thus have "as many of these holes as the years of [their lives]."

[Mark Smallwood]

This is a collection of writings from mostly prominent Christian leaders in the late 1st to second century after Christ. I read it because I wanted to see if there was a basis for so called ‘Sacred Tradition’. I found that the principle of obedience to one’s bishop is strongly and repeatedly enunciated by Ignatius. There wasn’t too much about the Eucharist; hardly anything about Mary. There was a reference to a form of Apsotolic succession in Clement, but a more congregational form of church government preferred in the Didache (by which I mean that congregations could choose their own leaders).

[Gerrit Tamminga]

It was quite interesting to get a sense of what the early church felt, thought, and experienced. Of course, they are not Scripture and the early church had many issues, but it’s encouraging to see what our brothers and sister in Christ saw as their duties were and how they went about, as well as what kind of ditches they fell into so as not to fall in them today.

[M Kashani]

Definitely a must_read

[Nick Hay]

The perspective on Martyrdom is powerful. Interesting to see the early perspectives on a variety of issues, certainly challenges some of my own perspectives.

[Colin Weeks]

Solid, edifying, challenging. Such a treat to get into the minds of the saints of old.

[claire r]

The Didache, and epistles of Clement, Barnabus, Polycarp, Ignatius, and Justin Martyr
Being completely honest Ignatius freaked me out that guy was on one

[TiAnna]

Eye opening

[Lavinia]

will pick it up again later!

[Johnny Mancini]

lotta evidence for catholicism

clement’s epistle was my favorite, barnabas’s was deep and need to reread that one, ignatius has insane aura

[Max Almas]

I am so amazed by these early church epistles. While they aren’t Scripture, I do believe that ALL Christians should read these. I am not Roman Catholic and I do not ever believe I can be Roman Catholic. However, I can say with confidence that I am lower case “O” orthodox Christian. Every universal church Christian must read these in order to understand where our practices not mentioned in the Bible come from.