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You are here: Home / 101Study Help / Who is / Who were the church fathers?

Who were the church fathers?

August 6, 2020 by Krisan Marotta

Who were the early church fathers? - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

The “church fathers” are the earliest writers outside of the New Testament. Their writings are not classified as apocryphal nor are they considered authoritative.

They wrote to edify their fellow Christians. Their writings are not canonical because they recognize the superior authority of the canonical writings. These works quote extensively from the New Testament documents, both the gospels and Paul’s letter.

Here’s a list of some of the major works and their features.


Clement of Alexandria

Clement of Alexandria was an early theologian and philosopher.

1Clement was written with the New Testament period (c. 95-96 AD). A long letter by Clement of Rome to the church at Corinth dealing with a disturbance in Corinth when legitimately appointed “presbyters” were ejected. Clement urges peace and order.

English Translation of 1 Clement by J. B. Lightfoot

English Translation of 1 Clement by Charles Hoole

English Translation of 1 Clement by Roberts-Donaldson

The Apostolic Fathers by J. B. Lighfoot

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction to 1 Clement

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction to 1 Clement

Handbook of Patrology: St. Clement

The Ecole Glossary: Clement of Rome

Catholic Encyclopedia: Clement I, Saint and Pope

A Study in 1 Clement

2Clement – a homily of unknown date and origin (perhaps 130-160 AD).

English Translation by J. B. Lightfoot

English Translation by C. H. Hoole

Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction: 2Clement

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction

Handbook of Patrology: The Homily Called Second Epistle of St. Clement

Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope St. Clement I

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Ignatius

Ignatius was bishop of Antioch. He wrote 7 letters with an emphasis on the mysteries of incarnation and salvation.

To Polycarp – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

To Polycarp – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

To Polycarp – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Smyrnaeans – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Smyrnaeans – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Smyrnaeans – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Smyrnaeans – English Translation by C.H. Hoole

Philadelphians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Philadelphians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Philadelphians – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Philadelphians – English Translation by C.H. Hoole

Romans – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Romans – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Romans – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Trallians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Trallians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Trallians – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Trallians – English Translation by C.H. Hoole

Magnesians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Magnesians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Magnesians – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Magnesians – English Translation by C.H. Hoole

Ephesians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Ephesians – Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Ephesians – English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction to the Epistles of Ignatius

Handbook of Patrology: St. Ignatius

Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Ignatius of Antioch

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Polycarp

Polycarp was a revered figure in the early church. He was Bishop of Smyrna when Ignatius wrote. He knew the apostles, especially John and taught Irenaeus. He wrote a letter to the Philippians around (135 AD).

English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

English Translation by Kirsopp Lake

Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction

The Ecole Glossary: Polycarp of Smyrna

Handbook of Patrology: St. Polycarp and the Acts of His Martyrdom

Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Polycarp

Church Fathers: The Martyrdom of Polycarp

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The Didache

The Didache refers to the “teaching of the apostles”. It is a composite work (90-110 AD) dealing with church order and moral exhortation, directions for baptism, correct form of the Lord’s Prayer, eucharistic prayers, rules for hospitality and warns against charlatans.

Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

English Translation by Charles H. Hoole

English Translation by Kirsopp Lake

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction

Wace Introduction

Handbook of Patrology: The Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles

The Ecole Glossary Introduction: Didache

Catholic Encyclopedia: Didache

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Epistle of Barnabas

The Epistle of Barnabas was written in Alexandria c 130-140 AD. It has a strongly anti-jewish message and uses allegorical exegesis.

English Translation by J. B. Lightfoot

English Translation by Charles Hoole

English Translation by Kirsopp Lake

Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction

Handbook of Patrology: Pseudo-Barnabas

Catholic Encyclopedia: Barnabas

The Ecole Initiative Introduction

The General Epistle of Barnabas

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Shepherd of Hermas

The Shepherd of Hermas is an allegory written by a member of the Roman church. It is designed to rouse a lax church and call to repentance Christians “who had sinned”.

English Translation by J.B. Lightfoot

Roberts-Donaldson English Translation

Kirsopp Lake’s Introduction

Roberts-Donaldson Introduction

Handbook of Patrology: The Shepherd of Hermas

Catholic Encyclopedia: Hermas

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Resources

The Apostolic Fathers by J. B. Lighfoot

Complete list of the Writings on EarlyChristianWritings.com

List of the Apocrypha on EarlyChristianWritings.com

Chronological list of early Christian writings

More: Introduction to the New Testament

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Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on Unsplash

(This article has been read 149 times plus 2 today.)

Related posts:

  1. Early Church Heresies
  2. Are older women invisible in the church?
  3. What church positions are open to women?
  4. 02 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Division in the church
  5. Should women have authority in the church?

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