The Apostolic Fathers, Vol 1

by Kirsopp Lake (Translator)

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEWER EDITION The writings of the Apostolic Fathers give a picture of Christian life and thought in the period immediately after New Testament times. Some of them were accorded almost Scriptural authority in the early Church. The nine texts subsumed under this title include the epistles of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, which were written while Ignatius was en route to Rome as a prisoner, condemned to die in the wild-beast arena. Here too is the "Didache," a book of precepts in religious instruction, worship, and ministry; and the "Epistle of Barnabas," which attempts to sever the connection between Judaism and the Old Testament. "The Shepherd of Hermas" is a book of revelations and a doctrine of repentance; and the "Martyrdom of Polycarp" gives an account of the persecution of Christians at Smyrna.

Genres: Theology, History, Christian, Classics

426 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Kirsopp Lake (7 April 1872 – 10 November 1946) was a New Testament scholar and Winn Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard Divinity School. He had an uncommon breadth of interests, publishing definitive monographs in New Testament textual criticism, Greek palaeography, theology, and archaeology. He is probably best known for the massive five-volume work The Beginnings of Christianity—an edition, translation, commentary, and study of the Acts of Apostles—that he conceived and edited with F. J. Foakes-Jackson.

Reviews

[Pater Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a bit absurd to rate a collection of the Apostolic Fathers on Goodreads. Their writings are not in the same category as ordinary books; there is no common measure between them and the works of later writers.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian, regardless of denomination, should take the time and read the apostolic fathers.

[Ron Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The epistles of St. Ignatius were beautiful in light of his circumstances.

[Gui Nabais Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great collection with many of the earliest Christian writings and Apologetics. A really good introduction to Patristics and the work of the early Church Fathers (which I hadn't read before). It is especially interesting to see the rawness and freshness of a new faith which was very much still struggling to assert itself within the Classical pagan world. Also reflecting on the contexts and ways in which they wrote, within the sociocultural assumptions of their time, provides for a fascinating look into how theology is conducted today and the assumptions within our own cultural context which we are prone to make.

I particularly enjoyed Polycarp's epistle, and Clement's, as well as the Didache. A wonderful edition with the original Greek (which sadly I can't read!) alongside the English translation.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working my way through the Apostolic Fathers. So far it’s been an enjoyable read. I’ll review the whole of them once I get through Lake’s volume II.

[Lukerik · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. What we have here is a collection of very early Christian writings from the late first and early second centuries, most of which were included in early Bibles at one time or another. Some of the writers were born early enough that they could conceivably have met some of the Apostles. They’re a window into Christianity at a time when they must have numbered in just a few thousands, practising at a few cultic centres scattered across the Graeco-Roman world. These Christians come across as rather an unruly lot, naughty and heterodox.

First up is 1 Clement. The Christians of Corinth have mutinied and expelled their presbyters. Clement is writing from Rome to try and herd these cats. It beautifully written, better than a lot of stuff in the NT. I’m not sure why it was taken out. Perhaps because Clement was a second generation Christian? I don’t know if it’s much read by Christians today, but I rather suspect it would be of use to them.

The star of the show are Ignatius’s letters. He was the bishop of Antioch. He’s been arrested by the bloody Romans and is on his way to Rome, to the Coliseum, where he is going to be eaten by lions during the children’s matinee. It must have been a fairly stressful time for him. On the way he fires off seven letters. Their contents are astounding. He has hardly a thought for himself. All his mind is bent on the well-being of his fellow Christians and the Church. The one exception is his letter to the Christians in Rome, the one group who could conceivably save his life. He asks them to do nothing to save him. “If you are silent concerning me, I am a word of God; but if you love my flesh, I shall again be only a cry.” My advice would be to make this man a saint.

The only problem with this book comes in the Epistle of Barnabas. Well, the Epistle of Barnabas is a problem anyway. There’s an interesting comparison between the execution of Jesus and the scapegoating ritual in Leviticus, but generally this letter is like the motivated perception of a flat-earther. The specific problem is that Lake translates the Greek of x.6 – x.8 into Latin. I suspect that this is because he would have been prosecuted for obscenity if he had produced something that could be understood by a servant. If you’re looking for a translation here is J. B. Lightfoot’s, which is suspect is very carefully worded:

“Moreover thou shalt not eat the hare. Why so? Thou shalt not be
found a corrupter of boys, nor shalt thou become like such persons;
for the hare gaineth one passage in the body every year; for
according to the number of years it lives it has just so many
orifices.
Again, neither shalt thou eat the hyena; thou shalt not, saith He,
become an adulterer or a fornicator, neither shalt thou resemble such
persons. Why so? Because this animal changeth its nature year by
year, and becometh at one time male and at another female.
Moreover He hath hated the weasel also and with good reason. Thou
shalt not, saith He, become such as those men of whom we hear as
working iniquity with their mouth for uncleanness, neither shalt thou
cleave unto impure women who work iniquity with their mouth. For
this animal conceiveth with its mouth.”

Let the motivated perception of your filthy mind make of that what it will.

[Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kyrkofadern Clemens av Rom som var samtida med Paulus (35 - 99ekr.) skriver

”Många kvinnor har fått kraft genom Guds nåd och utfört bragder med manlig djärvhet. Den heliga Judith, då hennes stad var belägrad, frågade om de äldstes tillåtelse att gå ut i främlingarnas läger. Hon riskerade sitt liv och gick fram av kärlek till sitt land och sitt folk under dess belägring, och Herren räddade folket från Holofernes (den assyriska generalen) genom en kvinnas hand. Likaså Ester, också perfekt i sin tro, riskerade sitt liv, för att kunna rädda Israels land från förstörelsen som väntade, genom fasta och förödmjukelse sökte hon den allseende mästaren av alla tider, och han såg hennes själsliga ödmjukhet och räddade folket för vilkens skull hon mötte faran”.

Den manliga och kvinnliga personligheten är avgörande för att förstå bibelns budskap. Bibeln är berättelsen om personlighet, att bli en fullständig personlighet

[Garrett Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

These early church writings are fascinating and encouraging. Though some of the authors are unknown and the dates of origin are often uncertain, most of these texts are associated with the so-called apostolic fathers – Christian men who likely knew the apostles and led the church after their deaths.

Most of these writings are addressed to churches and focused primarily on ethics and ecclesiology. A few topics come up often throughout: the fulfillment of God’s plan in Christ, the deity and humanity of Jesus, the necessity of sacrificial living by Christians, the dangers of heretical teachers, and the unifying authority of bishops.

The minds of these writers were obviously saturated with scripture. These works profusely quote Old and New Testament texts as they attempt to encourage Christians towards godly living. Besides getting a glimpse of early Christian faith and practice, a mature reader can be sharpened by the thoughtful interactions these men had with God’s Word.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s impossible to rate these works, but they are a worthwhile read (although some are more valuable than others).
I was surprised by Ignatius, appreciated the Didache, and enjoyed the redundancy of Clement.

(I also have no idea if I’m rating the right book on Goodreads, but I think the translation date matches the digital volume I read)

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book for my first serious exploration of the writings of the early church. There is such a depth and richness to their theological thought. I was enriched by their deeply developed and personalized theology. Highly recommend.

[C.S. Areson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting to read what early church fathers wrote especially since what they wrote still applies today.

[Briana Grenert]

Excellent introductions to really fascinating works.
I don't even know how to rate this book!
It's cool to see how these writings influenced Christianity today. I began reading this for a presentation of 1 Clement and when school was done and had time, I had to read the rest!

[Sarah Yasin]

the didache.