The Apostolic Fathers: Modern Translations of These Early Christian Writings: Barnabas / I & II Clement / The Didache / Hermas / Ignatius / Polycarp

by Jack N. Sparks (Editor)

English, Greek

Genres: Religion, Christian, Theology

319 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is again a spectacular book. I can read and re-read this many times and never get enough! I think one of the fascinations with this book is that the letters, writings, and documents are all extremely close in time to Christ. There are letters by Ignatius, who was the second Bishop of Antioch, around the year 69! Letters from Rome to sister Churches (note this was a letter of one Primate of a Church to a sister Church, and spoken not with the attitude of 'the Pope is infallible dictator', but as one who has primacy of honor in a collegial atmosphere), a sermon from an unknown Presbyter dated to between 100 and 120 AD! This is a time capsule of information, and as close of a look into the early Church as you can find anywhere, short of actually being there.

It's amazing to read accounts of that time, and moreso to realize that in the Orthodox Church today we have the exact same beliefs, and the exact same teachings. There are a few places that stand out because of the laxity of terminology, but you have to bear in mind much or all of this was written before there were any real heresies that had sprung up that threatened the beliefs passed on from Christ to the Apostles, and hence to us. Those heresies required a more rigorous definition of some terms, a future care when using certain language, and a codification of our beliefs but this is still the same! Amazing!

One of the highlights are the letters by Ignatius for me. I can feel the love and care in every sentence. As he was going willfully and joyfully to be eaten by beasts for the entertainment of the pagan masses, he only cared about the well-being of his fellow Christians and the Church. Let those who would 'get back to a simpler time' before the Church supposedly co-opted Christianity for the sake of power and control read this with care. The Bishop(!), who became a Bishop around 30 years after Christ's death and resurrection, is supremely concerned in all cases that the Church remain as one and that the people remain in obedience to their appointed shepherds. Read this man's letters and tell me he lusts for power. Read them and tell me he is part of a vast conspiracy to take over. This man is a Christian, and a lover of his neighbor. This man loves his Church, and loves Christ beyond all! This pours out of every word on the page. I wish I could have known him in person.

The Shepherd of Hermas is outstanding, and I can never get tired of it. Again, there are some theological difficulties but as long as you understand the time it was written these pass. I'm sure as a technical example of period visionary literature this is bar none top notch. I'm a barbarian when it comes to those technicalities, so I'll just say that the beauty, mysticism, symbolism, and dream-like qualities of this vision make it a spectacular read. Don't worry about getting lost in the visions, because all is explained along the way. This is an amazing visionary work that should have a place on every Christian's bookshelf.

All of the remainder of the letters, documents, and articles are fascinating - the Didache, an early Church manual, and the Epistle of Barnabas were both considered in many places to be equal to and in some cases included in collections of Scripture that became the New Testament. They eventually dropped off the list, but they are nonetheless valuable both for content and for a view into what exactly the early Church believed, since apparently in this day and age it is popular to say early Christianity was 'different' and had been co-opted by the powers that be. Rubbish. Read here, read the Scriptures, two thousand years of Church history, the Ecumenical Councils, and the vast body of writings of the Fathers, and you'll be set.

This book is highly recommended!

[Alex of Yoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to read the Church Fathers. I'm surprised by how little these are read in the American Christian culture. These are some of the oldest Christian writings outside of the Bible! They are our heritage, and it's good to know them.

This is a collection of ancient Christian letters and writings including letters from St. Clement, St. Ignatius, St. Polycarp, and the alleged letter of St. Barnabas. It also includes the Shepherd of Hermas and the Didache. All give a glimpse into the earliest teachings of the Christian church from those who were within a generation or two of the Apostles themselves.

Some of these I had read before (such as the Didache and the letters of St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp), but the Shepherd of Hermas and Letter to Barnabas were new to me (or at least, I'd forgotten them if I did read them!). But the translation and introductions to all these works were different, and, so far, I like this version better as it gives helpful and honest assessments of each work.

There is so much encouragement in here for the modern Christian such as hopefulness in the midst of trials, treatises on holy living, testimony of miracles and martyrdom, and instructions for church worship. It's a fascinating view into the earliest moments of the Church, which isn't as primitive or simplistic as we like to imagine!

I did wish for more commentary. I would've loved to have the compiler give more exposition on the texts to help the modern, Western reader understand some more of the context. But I did enjoy this compilation a lot, and the translation was good.

Honestly, I think every Christian should read the Fathers. It's our history and a testimony to how things were in the earliest days of the faith. It is vital to know these things. I heartily recommend this to every Christian who is curious about where they came from, though be warned: there is much in this that is different from the average American version of "church". May it help challenge our modern perspectives!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would rate the different letters/books differently. Ignatius and Polycarp I'd give a solid 5 stars for sure. I am actually really looking forward to reading the letters of St. Ignatius again. Clement, Barnabas, and the Didache were very good, but not quite as compelling as Ignatius and Polycarp (though at a different point in my life, I might have reacted differently - different things speak to us in different in the various seasons of our lives). Hermas though, was a stretching book. The parts that I understood were really convicting and thought provoking. But there was so much of it that I didn't understand and that made it difficult to get through. I hope to try again at a later time. Maybe when I grow up a little more it will be clearer to me.

[Alethea Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read through once in a while and keep on the shelf for reference.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the Apostolic Fathers gives you some sense of what the leadership of the early generations of Christians thought was important in terms of theology, tradition and ethics. They were beginning to grapple with a Christian worldview. It is also true that their comments are "uneven" and contain some gems but also because they are dealing with the problems of their time, not everything they say can be used today. I wrote the preceding words as my reaction to this book when I read it a few years ago. My assessment of it stays the same. I came away this time with a couple of gems, but it did not awe me. This particular collection of writings leans towards the moralistic side.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Brian Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for those who wish to understand the early church.