General 1. Structure of Book

[John]

Bennett has used the writings of each of these early fathers to tell the stories of their lives and introduce us to their writings. How does this structure work for you? Do you feel you have gotten a fair understanding of the writings Bennett has chosen?

[Jill]

He's a good narrator, but I was disappointed there's so much of Bennett in this book and so little of the Fathers themselves. The ellipses (....) leave me wondering.
As do "lorries" pulling up to the Coliseum and people standing in queues (He's not British, is he?).

[Manuel]

Jill wrote: "As do "lorries" pulling up to the Coliseum and people standing in queues (He's not British, is he?)"

No, he comes from the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, where his family has lived for 200 years.

https://www.sophiainstitute.com/autho...

[Manuel]

Jill wrote: "He's a good narrator, but I was disappointed there's so much of Bennett in this book and so little of the Fathers themselves."

I have the same impression. I've read by now about one half of the chapter dedicated to Clemens of Rome, and most of the text is Bennett's, with extensive quotes by Justin and Irenaeus (regarding Simon Magus), but just one quotation from Clemens himself at the beginning of the chapter. I hope there are more of his citations in the other half of the chapter.

[Gary]

Manuel wrote: "Jill wrote: "He's a good narrator, but I was disappointed there's so much of Bennett in this book and so little of the Fathers themselves."

I'm in Ignatius of Antioch and I’m having a different take on Bennett’s style of writing. In Ignatius he quotes at great length. So much so I was hoping he would unpack the quotes a little more.
Jill and Manuel, due to the extensive quoting in Ignatius I think you’ll be pleased with that section, and the topic of Church governance is so simply and beautifully stated.

[Manuel]

Manuel wrote: "I hope there are more of his citations in the other half of the chapter."

Yes, there are. In the last part of the chapter there is an extensive citation of Clemens's Epistle to the Corinthians.

Now I'm going to Ignatius. Thanks, Gary.

[John]

Manuel wrote: "Jill wrote: "He's a good narrator, but I was disappointed there's so much of Bennett in this book and so little of the Fathers themselves."

I have the same impression. I've read by now about one h..."

I share the same reaction. This book is not so much a compilation of the four fathers writings, but Bennett’s writing about them, relying, more or less, on their words. With Clement, it is definitely less. So much so that he uses quotes from a movie based on historical fiction to speculate on the conversion of Clement. I found that less than helpful.