Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Second Series, 14 Volumes (Hardcover)

by Alexander Roberts (Editor), James Donaldson (Editor), Philip Schaff (Editor), Henry Wace (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Second Series contains in fourteen volumes the works of the Greek Fathers from Eusebius to John of Damascus and the Latin Fathers from Hilary to Gregory the Great. Several of the writings appear for the first time in English. The first three volumes are a complete collection of the historical writings of the Fathers, whose permanent value as the primary sources is universally acknowledged. Other volumes contain the works of eminent figures in early Christian history, such as Athanasius, Jerome, and Ambrose. The series concludes with the canons and decrees of the seven ecumenical councils, as well as canons of local synod with ecumenical acceptance. The Second Series is edited by Philip Schaff, eminent church historian and professor at Union Theological Seminary, NY, and Henry Wace, Principal of Kings College, London.

Volume Titles:
Volume 1: Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine
Volume 2: Socrates, Sozomenus: Church Histories
Volume 3: Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius, Rufinus: Historical Writings
Volume 4: Anthanasius: Selects Works and Letters
Volume 5: Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises, etc.
Volume 6: Jerome: Letters and Select Works
Volume 7: Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory Nazianzen
Volume 8: Basil: Letters and Select Works
Volume 9: Hilary of Poitiers, John of Damascus
Volume 10: Ambrose: Select Works and Letters
Volume 11: Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian
Volume 12: Leo the Great, Gregory the Great
Volume 13: Gregory the Great, Ephraim Syrus, Aphrahat
Volume 14: The Seven Ecumenical Councils

About the Author

Henry Wace (1836-1924), former Dean of Canterbury and noted turn-of-the century scholar, author, and editor, is especially known for his work on the four-volume Dictionary of Christian Biography and with Philip Schaff on the fourteen-volume Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 8000 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers; annotated edition edition (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565631161
• ISBN-13: 978-1565631168
• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.1 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 32.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,090,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Basic Work for Early Christian Literature, August 22, 2008

By	David M. Dougherty (Arkansas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: First Series, 14 Volumes (Hardcover)

As a layman I am less than qualified to critique this 14 volume set on its contents or translations, but hasten to say that the writings contained within are critical to have on one's shelf if interested in the history and development of Christianity. There is also a second series of 14 volumes that are equally important and I recommend purchasing them both.

The annotations and introductions to each item aid in contextualizing each work, but as another reviewer noted, betray a 19th century Protestant bias. That being said, they are still of great assistance.

My set is a reprint of the original American edition by Philip Schaff produced in 1886 and reprinted by Hendrickson Publishers in 1994. This is a fine edition with small but very readable type on good paper. Other editions are available, but this one is satisfactory in every respect.

These two 14 volume sets, 1st and 2nd Series, are the chief authorities for the doctrines and usages of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches after the New Testament. They do not, however, contain the Patristic commentaries on the Old Testament included in the Oxford Library of the same time period, an omission that I do not miss. The Greek Fathers run from Eusebius to Photius, and the Latin Fathers from Ambrose to Gregory the Great. If these two series and the corresponding Ante-Nicene 10 volume set do not take the reader where he wants to go in Christian history, then I do not know what to recommend (with the exception of the Nag Hammadi Library by Robinson, of course.)

15 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything but the commentaries are good, January 9, 2003

By A Customer

The writings of St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom are invaluable especially when wanting to study the foundations of the Latin West. (Of course with the exception of some of Augustine's seemingly pro-Reformation ideas.....)
This 14-volume set is excellent in providing a substantial amount of theological and spiritual prose. However, the commentaries by some of the books' editors seem to have an anti-Roman Catholic edge to them. (Especially the comments by Paul Schaff when referring to the "Popery and Romanism" of the Roman Catholic Church.) This I believe is in bad taste....even for an Anglican "scholar."

7 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Homilies Of St John Chrysostom, June 14, 2000

By	[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: First Series, 14 Volumes (Hardcover)

I graded the work a five star only for the eloquance and mythodical, yet very neccessary thological literature that tends to bend the ear of anyone desiring to gain more knowledge into mystical and contemplative life. However, the print quality is less than stellar and the paper is cheap. Too bad! I purchased it for the content. So I had to put away the cheap ink and paper.