The Shepherd of Hermas

by J.B. Lightfoot, Dave Kinsella (Introduction)

The Shepherd of Hermas is an astounding piece of ancient Christian writing. It is usually dated at between 120 Ad and 150 Ad. This means that the author may have been in contact with an Apostle such as John who died around 98 Ad. And he was most certainly contemporaneous with those who knew some of the Apostle such as Ignatius and Polycarp.

- from the Introduction by Dave Kinsella

Genres: Christianity

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2014

About the author

The Right Reverend Joseph Barber Lightfoot, D.D. (Trinity College, Cambridge University, 1864; M.A., Cambridge, 1854; B.A., Cambridge, 1851) was an Anglican theologian who was ordinaed priest in 1858. He served as Hulsean Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, 1861–75, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity 1875–79, and was consecrated Bishop of Durham by William Thomson, Archbishop of York, entering the House of Lords ex officio in 1879.

Reviews

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second read through. Remains a relevant book as the Shepherd challenges us to think in a way that is unlike the world’s thinking. A helpful source, and one everyone should read through.

[Quin Marlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will definitely be a book I read again. It was not life altering but a very interesting look into early Christian thought. My main takeaway is that holiness and repentance were a much bigger deal than I tend to practically work out.

[Jonathan Jang · Rating 3 out of 5]

too long

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

De inledande exemplen och visionerna är lättfattliga. Parablerna är svårare. Boken har karaktär av en vishetsskrift, och försöker förklara hur kristenheten behöver agera för att leva i balans med sig själv. Dess huvudargument verkar vara att olikhet är nödvändigt för att Kristi kyrka skall fullbordas, men att olikheten också kommer att medföra smärta, som måste accepteras utan affekt, eftersom den är oundviklig.

Jag uppfattade boken som inspirerande. Jag rekommenderar den till troende som är av mer mystisk läggning, och vill se världen med nya ögon.

[Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m afraid this is not my type of book at all. In fact I would go as far as to say I find it a complete waste of time

[Munzer Wehbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only worth reading for historical intrigue.

[Jonny Swales · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - Heresy.

This book gives a spectacular and wonderful tale of visions and revelations ‘from God’ that exhort Hermas, writing in first person from his supposed own experience, as well as, it is implied, any believer reading this to live righteously and reject wickedness.

But despite supposedly being a Christian writing and even being included in some New Testaments in the early development of biblical canon, the book was ultimately rejected by the majority for the same reason I am not finishing this book today: it doesn’t even mention Jesus by name, except for referring to “a son of God” but teaching there is no distinction between God and man, implying the Christological heresy known as ‘adoptionism.’

This book is therefore a great example of how you can forge a Christianity of perfect morals and ethics, but completely devoid of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as the Apostle John says it best, if anyone does not confess the Son, they do not have the Father neither. Whoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since this is a historically important piece of writing, I'm glad I read it. It is not entertaining reading and the copy housed at earlychristianwritings dot com contains several confusing typos. Hermas (never actually named in the text) has a series of visions, some of which are practically identical to each other, and which are explained in excruciating detail. Seemingly every blade of grass has its individual meaning, which must be expounded on. For the scholar, this is a great source for understanding early Christian thought. The average reader, even the average reader deeply interested in religious books, may want to give this a pass.

[Dylan Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Good Lesson for Today

This is a good book that ought to be read by many. It is not a perfect book, nay is it scripture but it is a good and solid book to remind the reader of what Christianity means and how it ought to be lived.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely understand the long-standing tradition of “this is good devotional material but not Scripture.” I’m glad there wasn’t really a big controversy of an attempt to make this book a part of the canon, but it wasn’t a bad read.