Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Andrew Louth (Editor), Maxwell Staniforth (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: September 1, 1987

The writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions and organization of the infant church, during an otherwise little-known period of its development. A selection of letters and small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles, they provide a first-hand account of the early Church and outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology and traditions of its parent religion, Judaism. Included here are the first "Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome", an impassioned plea for harmony; "The Epistle of Polycarp"; "The Epistle of Barnabas"; "The Didache"; and, the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch - among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation)

About the Author

Maxwell Staniforth also edited Marcus Aurelius' Meditations for the Penguin Classics. Andrew Louth is Professor of Byzantine studies in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham. Maxwell Staniforth also edited Marcus Aurelius' Meditations for the Penguin Classics. Andrew Louth is Professor of Byzantine studies in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (September 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140444750
• ISBN-13: 978-0140444759
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early Christian Writings, April 19, 2000

By 

Jason Richard - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Staniforth's is a superb translation of the Apostolic Fathers, the best I have ever come across. It is very readable. Each writing comes with an introdution by the editor detailing its history --- when and where it was written, etc. --- and discussing its main themes. This would make a excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in early Christianity.

The texts included in this volume are 1 Clement; the 7 epistles of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and Polycarp; the epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians; the Martyrdom of Polycarp; the Epistle to Diognetus; the Epistle of Barnabas (despite what one of the previous reviewers says, it's included in this volume); and the Didache.

Conspicuously absent are the Shepherd of Hermas and the fragments of Papias. Both have usually been considered Apostolic Fathers, and I am a little baffled at their omission.

Other recommended Penguin Classics: "The Jewish War" by Josephus, "The History of the Church" by Eusebius.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Link to the Post-Apostolic Church Fathers, September 5, 2001

By 

Todd Hudnall (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Early Christian Writings is an excellent collection of the works of the Post-Apostolic Church Fathers. It is for anyone looking for literature that opens a window into the Post-Apostolic Early Church. The epistles included are The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians; The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and to Polycarp; The Epistles of Polycarp to the Philippians; along with the Epistles to Diognetus and Barnabas. The book also includes the Didache and the martyrdom of Polycarp. For some reason Louth did not include the Shepherd of Hermas and the fragments of Papias, though he does mention them as being part of Cotelier's collection of writings by the Church Fathers.

If you are interested in the writings of the Church Fathers, and have never read such a collection, you can have some enjoyable and moving reading ahead of you. In reference to his pending martyrdom Ignatius writes, "I am His (God's) wheat, ground fine by the lions' teeth to be made purest bread for Christ" (Romans 4). He also says, "To die in Jesus Christ is better than to be monarch of earth's widest bounds. He who dies for us is all I seek; He who rose again for us is my whole desire" (Romans 6). The Epistle to Diognetus contains a vivid and compelling description of the early Christians. The second half of the Didache is full of interesting guidelines and instructions to the early believers on such things as baptism and fasting. Louth includes some good commentary about the fascinating account of the martyrdom of Polycarp.

The translation by Staniforth is very readable. The introductions by Louth are interesting, helpful, and well written. The notes following each book provide the author's commentary of the passage, assistance on difficult passages, insight into the mindset of the writer, important historical information, and other resources for further study. These early church writings are available on the Internet but I have not found any Internet sources that provide as good a presentation of the writings as Early Christian Writings. The inclusion of The Shepherd of Hermas and the fragments of Papias would have made it a more comprehensive collection. Despite this exclusion, for those looking for such a collection, I recommend Early Christian Writings.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for laypersons, November 17, 2004

By 

Joshua L Wright "book and music fan" (Royal Oak, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

This collection is a decent collection and translation of the Apostolic Fathers for the general reader. I have two gripes though.

One is that the Shepherd of Hermas is not included. I would imagine this was because of its length, but the collection seems woefully inadequate without it.

The second is that the verse and chapter numbers are not given in a form that makes them the least bit usable when looking up passages that are referenced in other books.

For research purposes, I would recommend the Loeb Classical Library editions or the excellent one volume reworking of the Lightfoot edition available from Baker Books edited by Michael Holmes.

But if you're not out to be the next Jarislav Pelikan or J.N.D. Kelley, then this should do just fine for some interesting and inspiring reading.