Fathers Of The Church: A Comprehensive Introduction

by Hubertus R. Drobner

Good, solid, contemporary introductions to patristic authors and writings are difficult to find in the English-speaking world, and European volumes are expensive. This volume, which is Siegfried Schatzmann’s translation of Lehrbuch der Patrologie, offers English-speaking readers easy access to Hubertus R.Drobner’s traditional introduction to early Christian thought. Hubertus R.Drobner brings patristics scholarship up-to-date in this traditional introduction.His work is sufficiently broad to be a useful summary of early Christian history and the expansive strokes of doctrinal debate and development and provides a clear presentation of early Christian thought. Drobner introduces new materials throughout this recently updated edition of his handbook. A general map and several timetables add to the clarity of the volume. The Fathers of the Church is valuable in its presentation of contemporary studies and views. Patristics students will benefit from this dependable overview of early Christian texts, and scholars and libraries will appreciate the extensive bibliography, indecies, and other resources. SPECIAL FEATURES
• Updates from the German second edition and Italian translation
• Bibliography in completely revised format from the German edition

Genres: History, Reference, Church History, Christianity, Church, Theology

632 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2007

Reviews

[Carl Hostetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable overview of the Church Fathers, with extensive bibliography. The detail will overwhelm some, but as a vade mecum and guidepost to further study, probably unsurpassed.

[Erica Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the most influential people of the early Church!

[Tyson Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent intro to the Patristic era. Drobner is more historical than theological.

[Viggo van Uden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hubertus R. Drobner’s The Fathers of the Church: A Comprehensive Introduction (originally Lehrbuch der Patrologie, 1994) is an essential resource for anyone engaged in the study of patristics or the early Church. The book offers a thorough and systematic overview of the early Church, encompassing theologians, heretics, councils, theological concepts, and theologoumena. Its descriptions of various figures, councils, and theologoumena are clear, sufficiently comprehensive for a textbook of this nature, and concise.

Unlike some theological handbooks, which sometimes reflect the author’s personal appreciation or critique of specific theologians, Drobner’s work is notably neutral. His approach is purely factual, presenting the material based on the available evidence without apparent bias or interpretative preference. This neutrality enhances the text’s credibility as a foundational resource.

A particularly valuable feature of the book is the extensive bibliography provided at the end of each section. These bibliographies include references to editions, reference works, translations, encyclopedia articles, introductions and surveys, collections of essays, specialized studies, and more. This structure offers an excellent starting point for further research, equipping readers with the tools needed to deepen their understanding of the Church Fathers and their historical and theological contexts.

The strength of Drobner’s The Fathers of the Church lies in its dual function: it provides a reliable foundation of factual information on each Church Father, offering readers a solid initial impression of the key elements of their life and thought. Simultaneously, it serves as a gateway to further academic exploration through its detailed bibliographies. However, readers should remain aware that new studies have emerged since the book’s original publication, which may supplement or refine the material presented.

In conclusion, Drobner’s work remains a cornerstone in patristic studies. Its clarity, impartiality, and comprehensive bibliographical resources make it an indispensable guide for anyone - students, academics, and those interested in theology - seeking to explore the richness of the early Church.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patristics textbook. Extraordinarily long and sprinkled with Greek. Whew, glad it's over.