The Earliest Christian Heretics: Readings from Their Opponents

by Arland J. Hultgren (Editor)

Orthodox writers--Justin, Ireneaus, Hippolytus, Eusebius, Epiphanius, and others--wrote about the persons and movements they considered heretical. In this book the editors have gleaned excerpts from these and other writers concerning heretical figures and movements of the first two centuries, including Gnostics, Marcion, Montanus, Ebionites, Adoptionists, and others, plus excerpts on the origins of Gnosticism.

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

199 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 1996

Reviews

[Adam Balshan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars [Apologetics]

Writing: 1 star (Frustrating)
Almost all its commentary was generic, and a great number of its claims were baseless doubts or contradictions of Early Church Writers.

Use: 3.5 stars
The editor(s) apparently did not count on their insipid comments being drowned out by the testimony of the Early Christian Writers they were quoting. The words of the latter are worthy of note, and are quite useful all in one place, in this book.

Truth: 1 star (Axiomatic Falsehood)

[Timothy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good concise guide to the early heresies. Being compiled before a full translation of the Nag Hammadi manuscripts had been completed we only get the opposition side to these divergent views of Christianity, yet even in that there is a great deal of merit. As the authors say at the beginning, you would need quite a large library to have all of these references in their individual volumes so I am very glad to have them all in one slim book. I agree that more author commentary would have been appreciated but there is also something to be said for having the original authors words stand on their own. Highly recommended for any looking into how Christianity may have developed as well as those seeking the original sources for some of the ideas coming into the church today.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book goes through specific heresies of the early church with a short description and lengthy citations from the primary sources. Interesting and well-formatted.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orthodox writers--Justin, Ireneaus, Hippolytus, Eusebius, Epiphanius, and others--wrote about the persons and movements they considered heretical. In this book the editors have gleaned excerpts from these and other writers concerning heretical figures and movements of the first two centuries, including Gnostics, Marcion, Montanus, Ebionites, Adoptionists, and others, plus excerpts on the origins of Gnosticism.

An excellent resource to view different Gnostic groups. It shows all of the 'big name heretics', compiling their opponents' writings against them. 'Heretics' include: Menander, Cerinthus, Carpocrates, Saturnius, Valentinus, Marcion, the Ebionites, Montanus, and more. An excellent resource. The only fault I found is that the compilers actually add to LITTLE commentary. I value their input due to their background, yet they say little in each introduction (Hultgren is professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Haggmark teaches Graduate Program: Religion and Society, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga, Indonesia