Yale University Library Research Guides: REL 600 Introduction to Theology: Apostolic Fathers

Introduction to Apostolic Fathers

The Apostolic Fathers: An Essential Guide by Clayton N. Jefford Collection of early Christian writings from the late first and early second centuries. An Essential Guide will explain the nature of the collected writings as they stand between the world of the New Testament and later Christian writers, focusing upon what the texts say about ancient Christian thinkers, early church developments, and the evolution of theological ideas prior to the great ecumenical councils. Online available.

New Essays on the Apostolic Fathers by Clare K. Rothschild This volume comprises fifteen new essays on the Apostolic Fathers with a focus on 1 and 2 Clement. The volume ranges widely within and beyond early Christian literature-from the streets of ancient Achaean and Asian the early modern libraries of Europe.
The Shepherdof Hermas and the Pauline Legacy by Jonathan E. Soyars Traces the influence of Pauline literary traditions upon one of the most widely attested and influential apocalyptic texts from early Christianity. Discovers extensive evidence of his adoption, adaptation, and synthesis of identifiable Pauline material in the Visions, Mandates, and Similitudes sections. Online available.
Community Building in the Shepherd of Hermas by Mark Grundeken Investigates aspects of Christian community life as reflected upon in Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century C.E.): (alleged) 'Jewish Christianness', (lack of) resurrection belief, sectarian tendencies and its relation to the authorities and to the emperor cult; social features; and rituals. Online available.

The Apostolic Fathers by Gerald Walsh et al. Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp of Smyrna, "Barnabas, Hermas, Papias of Hierapolis, Epistle to Diognetus, Didache. Online available.
The Didache by Aaron Milavec Greek-English side-by-side, gender-inclusive translation is included as well as a description of how this document, after being fashioned and used 50-70 C.E., was mysteriously lost for over eighteen hundred years before being found in an obscure library in Istanbul. Online available.

The Shepherd of Hermas by Carolyn Osiek Extremely popular in its time, The Shepherd of Hermas is a second-century work often used for instruction of catechumens, and is widely regarded as scripture. Only full-length commentary on "The Shepherd" in English. Online available.
Didache by Kurt Niederwimmer Didache's origins can be traced to the first century. It is apparently a catechism, intended to provide basic instructions. Echoes of Jesus' teaching in its Matthean form. Online available.