Apostolic Fathers in English, The [Paperback]

Michael W. Holmes (Editor), Michael Holmes (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0801031087 | ISBN-13: 978-0801031083 | Edition: 3

The Apostolic Fathers is an important collection of writings revered by early Christians but not included in the final canon of the New Testament. Here a leading expert on these texts offers an authoritative contemporary translation, in the tradition of the magisterial Lightfoot version but thoroughly up-to-date.

The third edition features numerous changes, including carefully revised translations and a new, more user-friendly design. The introduction, notes, and bibliographies have been freshly revised as well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael W. Holmes (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of biblical studies and early Christianity at Bethel University. A leading scholar of the Apostolic Fathers, he is currently writing a major critical commentary on Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians and The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic; 3 edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801031087
• ISBN-13: 978-0801031083
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An improvement on a very good thing April 11, 2007

By lifelong learner

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having made extensive use of his Greek/English 2nd edition, this 3rd edition translation of the Apostolic Fathers is a great resource for pastors or interested laypeople. The translations are lucid, clear, and contemporary (without being at all "trendy"); newly expanded footnotes and biblographies for each work make full use of the most recent scholarship. The scripture-reference footnotes for Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians are particularly dense, given that Holmes makes full use of Berding's and Hartog's studies on Polycarp's use of the NT.

If you have more academic interests, the 2nd edition Greek/English is still a very good translation and has a host of technical footnotes not included in this edition. If you just want to read the Apostolic Fathers in clear English, this is the one for you.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What I Needed April 9, 2009

By ajr276

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not an academic and I don't know Greek but am probably more widely and deeply read than the average layman. I find "thee/thou" language difficult to navigate and, for that reason, have had difficulty reading 19th Century English translations of the Church Fathers for any extended period. Holmes' translation is perfect for someone like me. The language is up to date and much easier to read than, say, Schaff, but his writing maintains an academic respectability. Think NIV or NRSV for the Apostolic Church Fathers. Some of the commentary strikes me as Protestant (I'm Eastern Orthodox), but reading the early Fathers has never been as enjoyable and enlightening. This is the best book purchase I've made in years.

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful! January 2, 2013

By Richard Robinett

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Everyone should be aware of these works as an insight to what early Christians thought about their faith. This work is a more recent translation that makes the thoughts of early believers available to the average reader and should be read by every student of Christianity.