BETTENSON:EARLY CHRISTIAN FATHERS PAPER: A Selection from the Writings of the Fathers from St. Clement of Rome to St. Athanasius

by Bettenson

There is now a wide and growing appreciation of the value and relevance of the writings of the Fathers of the early Church, even for non-academic readers, and particularly for all who wish to understand Christian doctrine. The authors represented in the volume, first published in 1956, are the principal writers of the Church in the Roman Empire from the period immediately after the New Testament down to the age of Constantine and the council of Nicaea (A.D. 325). They include St Ignatius of Antioch, St Justin, Tertullian, St. Irenaeus, St. Clement of Alexandra, Origen, St. Cyprian, and St Athanasius. Bettenson has selected passages to display as fully as possible the thought of the early Fathers, especially on the great doctrinal themes, and has himself translated them afresh, with brief annotation where necessary.

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

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Justin Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather odd reading experience; this is obviously better used in a classroom, with a lecturer providing context. But otherwise, precisely what it says it is, with extremely short snippets of prose by the early church fathers. Bettenson has fairly high standards, so many of his remarks seem a little snarky (Justin is "utterly lacking in charm", for instance), but if I'd had to put together a book like this (not to mention the companion volume) I'd probably be a bit snarky too.

[Saint Katherine BookstoreVA]

Many of us would feel more confident in our faith and our ability to explain it to others if we were familiar with the foundational teachings of the top-tier Church Fathers from the first five Christian centuries. However, not that many of us want to go back to the classroom and sit through formal theology and church history classes.

This book is perfect for the lay reader with an interest in matters of faith, but only not that much time. It features Bettenson’s introductory biographies and his translations of selected short passages from 23 Church Fathers, covering the immediate successors of the Apostles—such as Justin Martyr and Ignatius of Antioch—through Fathers alive during the Third and Fourth Ecumenical Councils, such as Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria and Augustine. Along with highlights of family, education and church-state intrigue, the two to three page biographies on each of the Fathers provide just enough background on their primary theological concerns to frame their excerpted writings for most readers. The majority of Fathers featured are from the Christian East, but the West is well represented by Hilary, Jerome, Augustine, and others. It’s striking that these great men were primarily concerned pastors who wove the needs of their flocks into their teachings.

One of the most effective parts of Bettenson’s books is his thematic grouping of the excerpts. One can move from Farther to Father reading only about “The Person and Work of Christ,” “The Holy Trinity,” “The Eucharist” and so on. This method allows you to see the subtle unfolding of doctrine over the first five centuries of the united Church and at the same time the continuity of thought that largely continues into modern Orthodoxy. You’ll hear the words from today’s baptisms ringing in your ears as you read from Cyril of Jerusalem’s 4th century instructions to the newly illuminated:

"And you were first anointed on the forehead, that you might be freed from shame. … Next, on your ears; so that you might have ears ready to hear the Divine Mysteries. … Then on your nostrils; that you might say …‘We are to God a sweet fragrance’. …Then on your breast; that you might ‘put on the breastplate of righteousness and withstand the devices of the
devil."

[Hannah Trower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice selection of some of the seminal works of early Christian Theology. I would have preferred more contextualization---it's sort of just cherry picked passages organized first by author and then by theme. I really enjoyed the Origen passages especially. I wouldn't recommend this if you have no background in Christian theology, I felt quite lost at some moments, especially regarding the nuance of particular theological terms. Interesting to see what has stayed the same and what has changed in the nearly 2000 years since these writings.

[w gall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portions of the writings of the early Father's on key aspects of Christian doctrine; a helpful resource; but one might suspect that Henry Betteson chose the portions that agreed with his own theology. That is the danger when quotes are lifted out of their context. I believe that he truly sought to present these father's teachings objectively, but subjectivity is inherent in human subjects.

[Dad Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes a bit of work to understand these church writers of centuries ago. Their context is so different, but they work on problems we continue to have. Very useful. Not just for a quick read, you must reflect as you go. Especially Origen!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with great quotes, but getting to know the early church father's really puts today's church in perspective and I'm not sure I like what I am seeing.