Author:Andrew Louth,Maxwell Staniforth
The writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions and organization of the infant church, during an otherwise little-known period of its development. A selection of letters and small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles, they provide a first-hand account of the early Church and outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology and traditions of its parent religion, Judaism. Included here are the first Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome, an impassioned plea for harmony; The Epistle of Polycarp; The Epistle of Barnabas; The Didache; and the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch - among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death.
if it succeeds in advancing the publication of material from Qumran, it will have achieved genuine good
—— Times Literary SupplementIt is enough to make anyone curious about the early days of Christianity weep with frustration
—— Mail on SundayA sensational story ... this scandal has gone on for far too long
—— The TimesThe damning evidence is all here and it looks pretty conclusive
—— In DublinA generous and sensitive road map to not-so-random acts of kindness
—— Publishers WeeklyHis Holiness speaks with wisdom and practicality on the full range of human problems
—— Pride Magazine