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Apostolic Fathers: Volume II. Epistle of Barnabas. Papias and Quadratus. Epistle to Diognetus. The Shepherd of Hermas (Loeb Classical Library No. 25N)

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How did the New Testament come to be formed? What books were left out? What did some of those books say? These are some of the questions on the minds of many curious people today. Too often, local congregations ignore these questions, to the detriment of the church. But these questions about Christian origins are very, very real in the hearts and minds of many people today.

Now, from one of the most significant writers about Christian origins today comes a completely new edition of the Apostolic Fathers -- the letters of Clement, the letters of Ignatius, the letter of Polycarp, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas, the fragments of Papias and Quadratus, the Epistle to Diognetus, and the Shepherd of Hermas. These were early Christian writings that are generally attributed to church leaders of the late first and early second centuries CE (and, in most cases, are probably authentic). Clement, for example, was an early leader in Rome (circa 96 CE); Ignatius wrote a number of letters to churches in various cities (circa 110 CE), sort of following in the footsteps of Paul.

This two-volume set replaces the classic edition of the Apostolic Fathers in the Loeb Classical Library edited by Kirsopp Lake nearly a century ago. As with all books in the Loeb Classical Library, the original (in this case, Greek) text is presented on the left-hand pages, and an English translation is presented on the right. The text is extremely readable, and the introductions to each of the books are clear, succinct, and to the point.

Some of these books almost made it into the New Testament! The epistles of Clement are found in some early New Testament manuscripts and were widely read in the early churches. The Shepherd of Hermas may have been the most widely read book by early Christians. Several of these books were probably written before some of books in the New Testament. In an age in which people are asking questions about the origins of Christianity and the authority of the scriptures, it is crucial that we have at least a basic understanding of our early history. In my mind, a decent familiarity with the Apostolic Fathers -- as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi library -- is essential.

This two-volume set is extremely valuable. Ehrman's critical textual work, his contemporary translations, and his up-to-date introductions are a welcome addition to current literature. The trained scholar will delight in having a new critical edition of the Greek text . . . but an ordinary lay reader could also profit tremendously from reading some of these early Christian writings that were not deemed to be sufficiently close to the first generation of apostles to make the cut into the New Testament.

If you ask Bart Ehrman a question, he has written a book about it.