What do you think?
Rate this book
The Apostolic Fathers: The Definitive & Complete Modern English Translation: Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache, Barnabas, Hermas, and More, including Contextual Essays
The Apostolic Fathers in Modern EnglishExperience the earliest Christian writings, clearly translated for today. This edition presents the complete collection traditionally known as the Apostolic Fathers in fresh, readable modern English, paired with concise, thematic essays at the end of the book that frame the world, worship, and witness of the early church. If you’ve tried public-domain or Victorian renderings and bounced off the archaic phrasing, this volume is built to be faithful, direct, and readable, without dumbing anything down.
What’s Included (Complete Texts)1 & 2 Clement (to the Corinthians)The Letters of Ignatius (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, Polycarp)Polycarp to the Philippians & The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)The Epistle of BarnabasThe Shepherd of Hermas (Visions, Mandates, Similitudes)The Epistle to DiognetusThematic EssaysThe World of the Apostolic Fathers – situating these writings in the turbulent world after the apostlesForging a Christian Doctrine, Worship, and Ethics – how these texts shaped the lived faith of the early churchThe Ultimate Martyrdom in the Early Church – the meaning and legacy of Christian martyrdomWhat Makes This Edition DifferentModern English throughout , Crisp sentences, current vocabulary, and consistent terminology to reduce cognitive friction for new readers while retaining the gravity of the originals.Thematic end essays , Big-picture overviews that clarify the post-New-Testament world, the formation of early Christian life and worship, and the logic of martyrdom.Complete and unabridged , No cherry-picking. You get the full corpus readers expect when they search for “Apostolic Fathers.”Reader-oriented structure , Clear headings and consistent formatting make long works like Hermas manageable for study or devotional reading.Who This Is ForPastors & students who need a readable text that won’t fight them in sermon prep, small-group discussions, or survey courses on early Christianity.Serious readers exploring church history beyond the New Testament, without wading through dense academic apparatus.Book clubs & adult education wanting reliable primary sources in approachable language.Why the Apostolic Fathers MatterWritten in the late first and second centuries, these works stand at the crossroads between the New Testament and later patristic theology. You’ll see early Christians wrestle with unity and authority (1 Clement, Ignatius), worship and ethics (Didache), Jewish–Christian scriptural interpretation (Barnabas), repentance and discipline (Hermas), public witness (Diognetus), and faithful endurance under pressure (Martyrdom of Polycarp).
What’s Included (Complete Texts)1 & 2 Clement (to the Corinthians)The Letters of Ignatius (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, Polycarp)Polycarp to the Philippians & The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)The Epistle of BarnabasThe Shepherd of Hermas (Visions, Mandates, Similitudes)The Epistle to DiognetusThematic EssaysThe World of the Apostolic Fathers – situating these writings in the turbulent world after the apostlesForging a Christian Doctrine, Worship, and Ethics – how these texts shaped the lived faith of the early churchThe Ultimate Martyrdom in the Early Church – the meaning and legacy of Christian martyrdomWhat Makes This Edition DifferentModern English throughout , Crisp sentences, current vocabulary, and consistent terminology to reduce cognitive friction for new readers while retaining the gravity of the originals.Thematic end essays , Big-picture overviews that clarify the post-New-Testament world, the formation of early Christian life and worship, and the logic of martyrdom.Complete and unabridged , No cherry-picking. You get the full corpus readers expect when they search for “Apostolic Fathers.”Reader-oriented structure , Clear headings and consistent formatting make long works like Hermas manageable for study or devotional reading.Who This Is ForPastors & students who need a readable text that won’t fight them in sermon prep, small-group discussions, or survey courses on early Christianity.Serious readers exploring church history beyond the New Testament, without wading through dense academic apparatus.Book clubs & adult education wanting reliable primary sources in approachable language.Why the Apostolic Fathers MatterWritten in the late first and second centuries, these works stand at the crossroads between the New Testament and later patristic theology. You’ll see early Christians wrestle with unity and authority (1 Clement, Ignatius), worship and ethics (Didache), Jewish–Christian scriptural interpretation (Barnabas), repentance and discipline (Hermas), public witness (Diognetus), and faithful endurance under pressure (Martyrdom of Polycarp).
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2025
38 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.