The Apostolic Fathers, Vol 2

by Kirsopp Lake (translator)

Loeb Classical Library #25
Shepherd of Hermas
Martyrdom of Polycarp
Epistle to Diogentus

Genres: Theology, History

402 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Kirsopp Lake (7 April 1872 – 10 November 1946) was a New Testament scholar and Winn Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard Divinity School. He had an uncommon breadth of interests, publishing definitive monographs in New Testament textual criticism, Greek palaeography, theology, and archaeology. He is probably best known for the massive five-volume work The Beginnings of Christianity—an edition, translation, commentary, and study of the Acts of Apostles—that he conceived and edited with F. J. Foakes-Jackson.

Reviews

[Thomas Duell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was incredibly edifying. Much can be learned about the faith by considering the experiences and thoughts of the early church. These writings are interesting, not finding their way into the historic protestant canon, they all have elements of error that range from very small, almost inconsequential error, to the high heresy of donatism found in the Shepherd of Hermas. In particular the Letters of Ignatius to the church before he is martyred, the account of the martyrdom of Polycarp, and the Epistle to Diognetus are all very rewarding to read and offer great insights into the depth of faith that the early church had. Recommended for men and women who want to feel connected to a Church that is older than their own memory.

[Lukerik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sequels are never as good, are they? I’ll all happening over in volume one. Still, all is not lost. These texts all tell us something about how the early Christians saw themselves, and the early development of the religion. Would be of use to someone with an interest in that area, or in the ancient world generally.

The Shepherd of Hermas is actually quite boring in parts and like the Book of Armaments you can skip a bit. It’s an apocalypse and what’s interesting is its resemblance to a dialogue. You can really see a point of contact between the two genres. It reminded me most of the Consolation of Philosophy and from there up into the Middle Ages with things like Usk’s Testament of Love. The resemblance is to Plato is less pronounced, though I suppose you could interpret Socrates as being the Platonic equivalent of an angel.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp has a very interesting eye-witness account of a human sacrifice, in this case a botched one.

So, worth a look if your interests tend this way, but don’t expect The Further Letters of Ignatius.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I stated in my review of volume 1, all Christians should read the writings of the apostolic fathers.

[Mathias]

Some of the fathers convey a message that is foreign to the bible in my opinion, with none or weak insight into perception

Still it is important to grind through these texts in order to understand the present

For example, The Shepherd of Hermas, is clearly pushing a programme of "good desire" through performing ethical deeds. Apparantly, the author is an example of jewish christianity, that is, works-based and still clinging to the metaphysical desire of ethical competition, that is blind to the scapegoat mechanism and the internal shadow. Maybe in some sense this ethic will produce results, while cheap grace gives birth to spoiled spirit of indolence

However, the author is not deep enough and does not reach an understanding of the gospel in my opinion

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed half this book and half of it I didn’t. The Epistle to Diognetus may be my favorite early writing I have read so far. It is so beautiful and powerful in the ways it describes Christian faith. I will return to it frequently. I did not like the Shepherd of Hermas. I’m a Pentecostal and it was too weird for me.

[Sam Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. It’s such a delight to read the words of early Christians as they wrestled with their place in the world. It’s also helpful to recognize the diversity of views expressed in the early decades of the post-apostolic church.

[MonkeyMadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epistle of Barnabas SUCKED!!! less than worthless for spiritual upbuilding