The Apostolic Fathers [Paperback]

J. B. Lightfoot (Author), J. R. Harmer (Author), Michael William Holmes (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Baker Bytes; 2 edition (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801021995
• ISBN-13: 978-0801021992
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Apostolic Fathers, March 16, 2000

By 

John H. Green (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Apostolic Fathers (Paperback)

Being both a neophyte in the faith of Christianity and the history of the Church, my hunger for reading both the Bible and other early Christian manuscripts has flourished. How does one come to the truth in a faith that is so full of opinion in doctrine, and misunderstood tradition? I guess if I knew that answer, I wouldn't be so involved in searching these texts. Regardless, I do trust that the truth is there, and that the Spirit has both lead and will lead me to it.

This book has been one of those occasions in which I feel that the Spirit and God's timing were working in me. At a time when all of the negative parts of the Church were bringing me down, this text has helped me to focus on what is really important in my faith, my walk with Christ.

To begin, the works of such early martyrs such as Polycarp, help one to see just what was going on in the mind of a man of faith who knows that he will be honored to recieve the same persecutions as his Lord. In this day and age, the idea or desire of such a sacrifice is alien to the majority of Christians, and other than 2 Maccabees, is only hinted at in the Bible.

Also, to have a glimpse of what was happening in the church shortly after the demise of the apostles, is very enlightening. Although the scraps that make up quotations of the lost letters of Papias are less than adequate, one finds that early after the distribution of Revelation, the argument over a millenial kingdom raged. Since Papias was under the tutilage of John (the elder, or the apostle, I won't argue that one) in Ephesis, his point of veiw on this matter should not be ignored, though he was proclaimed a heretic later on.

Finally, the most important aspects of this text is the concern that these early Church leaders had in the direction that the Church was leading. Questions that popped up at these times were and still are very important to the understanding of how one walks in the faith after one has come to it. These texts are strong in explaining the importance of a life of good works and the importance of unity amongst the congregations.

Also, we get a glimpse of what was happening at that troublesome Church in Corinth after the apostles were no longer an influence. In a way, some of the most practical instruction has been written because of this Church, and they didn't stop in needing more after Paul's demise.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the Roots of the Christian Faith, February 18, 2002

By 

"tractarian72" (Bremerton, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Apostolic Fathers (Paperback)

This book is a must-have for any Christian who wants to know the historical and theological roots of his/her faith. It shows that many "recent controversies" in the church were present from the very beginning--and answered effectively by men steeped in the Old Testament and the Gospel.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent one volume book on the Apostolic Fathers, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Apostolic Fathers (Paperback)

This book covers all the important manuscripts of the early Church. This volume excells in its coverage of the earliest Church documents. The only draw back is the lack of Justin Martyr's Apologies. Other than that this book is an excellent source for reading about the Apostolic Fathers.