The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (T&T Clark Biblical Studies) [Paperback]

Paul Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007 | Series: T&T Clark Biblical Studies

The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers refer to a group of miscellaneous Christian writings produced in the first and second centuries. The authors of these writings were considered by seventeenth century scholars to be the next generation of Apostles and as a result were named The Apostolic Fathers. Perceived by many scholars to be the most important collection of post-New Testament writings, a number of these texts were in fact considered for the Canon of the New Testament but later rejected. Their obvious significance stems from the fact that they are the first Christian writings produced outside the New Testament Canon and as such contain an essential insight into the development of the early Christian Church and Christian thinking. Much Christian Doctrine came, not from the New Testament, but from the writings produced by the early church and in particular the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. Therefore, these texts are crucial to an understanding of the shaping of Christian thought and Christian doctrine. This volume will provide readers with an overview of each of the eleven texts, together with a general introduction. Communicating the best recent scholarship to a broad audience, each chapter offers a treatment of the most controversial aspects of each text and discusses the theology of each of the writings in order to orient readers to the development of Christian thinking in the second century. Each article ends with a carefully chosen select bibliography to enable further reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is a very useful collection and it will provide an invaluable resource ... The editor and publisher are to be warmly thanked for making these articles available to a wider audience and readership.'

Christopher Tuckett, Oxford, Expository Times

'This volume is perfect for classroom use, and highly recommended as a convenient entry point into recent research conducted on these important ancient authors and writings.'

April D. DeConick, Religious Studies Review, 2008

"All the articles are both very informative and engaging. Bibliographical references in the footnotes are on the whole concise and up to date...This is a well-conceived introduction to the writings of the apostolic fathers, and it should be recommended to students and scholars who do not specialize in this field...nonspecialists will find this introduction particularly helpful." —Taras Khomych, Review of Biblical Literature, November 2008 (Review of Biblical Literature )

"This excellent collection brings togheter a set of introductory articles"

"this is a very useful, up-to-date handbook on the texts"

Journal for the stuy of the New Testament, 30 May 2008

(Peter Oakes )

"The authors of the articles obviously appreciate the documents they are studying and want to invite readers into them. The chapter on Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, by Michael Holmes, is an especially good example but not the only one in this reliable volume." — Walter F. Taylor, Jr. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies, Trinity Seminary Review (Walter F. Taylor, Jr. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies Trinity Seminary Review )

“All the articles are both very informative and engaging. Bibliographical references in the footnotes are on the whole concise and up to date...This is a well-conceived introduction to the writings of the apostolic fathers, and it should be recommended to students and scholars who do not specialize in this field…nonspecialists will find this introduction particularly helpful.” –Taras Khomych, Review of Biblical Literature, November 2008 (Review of Biblical Literature )

"This excellent collection brings togheter a set of introductory articles"

"this is a very useful, up-to-date handbook on the texts"

Journal for the stuy of the New Testament, 30 May 2008

(, )

"The authors of the articles obviously appreciate the documents they are studying and want to invite readers into them. The chapter on Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, by Michael Holmes, is an especially good example but not the only one in this reliable volume." — Walter F. Taylor, Jr. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies, Trinity Seminary Review (, Trinity Seminary Review )

About the Author

Paul Foster is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He is author of Community, Law and Mission in Matthew's Gospel, Mohr Siebeck, 2004, and editor of The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (T&T Clark, 2007).

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: T&T Clark; 1 edition (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0567031063
• ISBN-13: 978-0567031068
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,650,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Contexts of the Apostolic Fathers' Writings January 12, 2009

By Orthodox Lutheran Reader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are an aficionado of the early New Testament Church from the mid-first century (which I am convinced is the approximate date of the Didache) and would like to know the historical context of various writings of the Apostolic Fathers, this book is for you. It's accessible, yet scholarly, and chock full of relevant information. If you love the earliest New Testament Church Fathers, get this book. I enjoyed reading the book and it's a keeper as a reference guide.