Apostolic Fathers: Volume I. I Clement. II Clement. Ignatius. Polycarp. Didache. Barnabas (Loeb Classical Library No. 24) [Hardcover]

Kirsopp Lake (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Loeb Classical Library® | Publication Date: January 1, 1912

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEWER EDITION

The writings of the Apostolic Fathers give a picture of Christian life and thought in the period immediately after New Testament times. Some of them were accorded almost Scriptural authority in the early Church. The nine texts subsumed under this title include the epistles of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, which were written while Ignatius was en route to Rome as a prisoner, condemned to die in the wild-beast arena. Here too is the "Didache," a book of precepts in religious instruction, worship, and ministry; and the "Epistle of Barnabas," which attempts to sever the connection between Judaism and the Old Testament. "The Shepherd of Hermas" is a book of revelations and a doctrine of repentance; and the "Martyrdom of Polycarp" gives an account of the persecution of Christians at Smyrna.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library (January 1, 1912)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674990277
• ISBN-13: 978-0674990272
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy little work, September 27, 2000

By 

Abba Poemen the Ubermensch (Boston, Ma US) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Apostolic Fathers: Volume I. I Clement. II Clement. Ignatius. Polycarp. Didache. Barnabas (Loeb Classical Library No. 24) (Hardcover)

I'm not sure how much the texts have been updated since the time that the author wrote this, which is why I only gave 4 stars in my review, but I can't imagine that the text suffers much.

The format is great, with Greek on the left and the english translation on the right, with scripture references, footnotes and textual variants in most cases. There is an introduction to each author briefly sketching the history of each text, manuscripts used, etc - thoroughly academic. The size of the book is great, I can easily throw it in any coat pocket.

The writings of Ignatius included are the seven letters of the shorter recension mentioned by Eusebius, for those curious souls who wish to know.

Christianity is, from first to last, a historical construct. It rests on the truth of a historical person, Jesus of Nazareth, the people who historically continued in His ministry, and the things which they both historically taught. At least three of the writers in this collection knew at least one Apostle personally, so their writings are an essential witness to the content of apostolic teaching, and as such are invaluable in interpreting the eternal message contained in the scriptures.

The entire flavor of the pre-nicene church helps bring out a good deal of things that are in the New Testament but which we either miss or gleam over. Also, their application of Christ's teaching was understood in many cases differently than how we are taught to read them. I'm not espousing anything sensational, as if there is some secret teaching that they had access to, but they actually lived out the principles that we too often water down. Occasionally these writings serve as a good correction of our understanding on some topics, but more often it is their paradigm (if I can use a Kuhnian expression) that differs from ours...

So do read, and enjoy.