Reading the Bible with Ten Church Fathers: How to Interpret, Teach, and Preach Like the Early Christians

by Gerald L. Bray

By AD 100, all the original disciples had died and a new generation of preachers, teachers, and scholars had taken on the responsibility to preach, teach, and interpret the Scriptures. These men have become known as the church fathers. But who were they? When and where did they live? And, most importantly, what did they teach about how to read and understand the Bible?

Join professor and author Gerald Bray as he uncovers the fascinating history of the men who shaped the faith for the first few centuries after the apostles, including
· Justin Martyr
· Origen
· Gregory of Nyssa
· Ambrosiaster
· John Chrysostom
· Theodore of Mopsuestia
· Jerome
· Augustine of Hippo
· Cyril of Alexandria
· Theodoret of Cyrrhus

This compelling introduction reveals how early Christians read, preached, and understood the Bible, offering a unique look at their shared vision to spread the gospel with clarity amid remarkable diversity of perspective. Pastors, teachers, and thoughtful laypeople alike will find this book both educational and inspiring.

Genres: Theology

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Gerald L. Bray (Ph.D., University of Paris--Sorbonne) is director of research for the Latimer Trust, based in London, and a research professor at Samford University, teaching in the Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. A priest of the Church of England, Bray has also edited the post-Reformation Anglican canons. He has edited several volumes of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and Ancient Christian Texts, as well as volume one of the Ancient Christian Doctrine series, all for IVP Academic. General EditorTimothy George (Th.D., Harvard University) is a renowned Reformation historian and author of Theology of the Reformers, as well as many other theological and historical works. He is founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and an executive editor of Christianity Today.

Reviews

[Lianna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing but praise for this brief volume. I found its analysis of the Church Fathers charitable, and the synopses of doctrinal development and historic councils more detailed than in other summary works I’ve read. I came away with a clearer understanding of—true to the title—how the Church Fathers read Scripture.

Knowing this history fills me with gratitude, as I can see how God, by the Spirit, gave light to these early teachers as they unfolded the Scriptures. What a privilege to stand this far down the line, with light upon light to see by.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title immediately intrigued me. It brought back memories of briefly studying some of the Church Fathers in the past, so names like Origen, Justin Martyr, Jerome, and debates such as Nestorianism were not entirely new to me. However, this book deepened and broadened that earlier exposure in ways I didn’t expect.

Bray introduces ten Church Fathers and shows not only how they read Scripture, but how their interpretive approaches shaped teaching, preaching, and theology for generations after them. Some figures felt familiar, while others were entirely new discoveries. Ambrosiaster, for example, was new to me, and I found it fascinating that he was the first to treat Paul’s epistles as a unified collection rather than isolated letters.

John Chrysostom stood out for his development of expository preaching and his preference for the literal sense of Scripture, especially in contrast to Origen’s allegorical method. At the same time, I appreciated that Bray does not gloss over uncomfortable aspects of history — Chrysostom’s anti-Jewish rhetoric, for instance, is deeply troubling, and I do not agree with his views on Judaism or evangelism. The book allows space to acknowledge both influence and failure without flattening either.

Origen himself remains a towering figure, particularly as the author of the first full Bible commentary, though his allegorising clearly raised concerns even among his contemporaries. Theodore of Mopsuestia, by contrast, represents almost the opposite approach, grounding interpretation firmly in historical and textual meaning. Seeing these methods side by side helped me understand just how early and diverse Christian biblical interpretation really was.

Justin Martyr fascinated me — though not always positively — with his imaginative and sometimes speculative readings. Jerome came across as colourful, sharp-tongued, and controversial, while Augustine, unsurprisingly, felt familiar given his lasting influence on Western Christianity. Cyril of Alexandria and Theodoret of Cyrrhus were a revelation to me in terms of just how prolific and influential their writings were, something I hadn’t previously appreciated.

What I valued most about this book is that it is not only historically informative but also reflective. Bray consistently shows how these interpretive approaches shaped theology, church practice, and later generations — for better and for worse. The reader is invited to learn from the Church Fathers without idealising them.

Overall, this was an engaging and thoughtful read for anyone interested in church history, biblical interpretation, or the roots of Christian theology. It has left me wanting to continue exploring this subject, and I’m particularly interested in reading Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers by Christopher A. Hall next, especially as it’s available in audio format.

[Samuel Cocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Reading the Bible with Ten Church Fathers, Gerald Bray provides an accessible introduction to the leaders who shaped how we read, understand, and preach the Bible today. These men wrestled honestly with their limitations while trusting God to display His strength through their weakness. By refusing to hide their flaws, Bray offers a sobering yet hopeful reminder that God desires willingness, not perfection.

The Church Fathers were dynamic and resolute leaders whose influence continues to ripple throughout Christianity. Their lives challenge us to faithfully leverage our own gifts for the sake of God’s Kingdom in our own time. This book is a deep well of wisdom for church history nerds and ministry leaders alike who want to understand the foundational figures of our faith.

[Michelle Martino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a solid overview of 10 early church fathers. I enjoyed that this book wasn't too lengthy on details, but focused on each person for what we know of their life in general, what they understood about Scripture, and how their views influenced Christian theology. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter also help the reader make personal connections to this information.

While I wasn't too familiar with this history beforehand, this book provided a good foundation and starting point. This book is more academic by nature, but is not drawn out like a textbook. I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about church history.