Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1452952 in Books
• Published on: 1988-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 610 pages

Customer Reviews

An affordable, literal translation; stands the test of time
This series is the classic affordable version of the works of the early Christian writers from the first four centuries; hence the name "Ante" (meaning pre-) Nicene. While the English is starting to show its age and represents in many places a rather literal translation of the Greek and Latin, there is still much valuable commentary and many footnotes in this series. Volume I contains the epistle of Clement, the Letter to Diognetus, the works of Justin Martyr, the writings of Ignatius, and the writings of Irenaeus.

While the works in this volume are now available on the Web, I have found it useful to have the volume in my hands for making notes. There is ample room in the margins for note-taking, and the typeface and printing quality is very readable. There is also a Scripture index and a rather exhaustive topic index at the back of this volume, which I have referred to frequently to read about how the early church fathers viewed various issues.

Overall, I would recommend this series, and this volume in particular, as a "bread-and-butter" staple for Christians and non-Christians alike who want a reasonably-priced collection of the the writings which have influenced Christians for centuries.

Continuity with the apostles
A collection of the earliest post-Apostolic writings. While not theologically on the level of a later Augustine or Gregory, these writings are immensely valuable in giving a snapshot of the earliest worship and doctrine in the Church.

St Ignatius is the most important in the first part of the book. Having received the doctrine from the apostles, he clarifies the role of Bishop and Eucharist in the Church. This will set the stage for many of St Irenaeus's clinching arguments against the gnostics (e.g., apostolic succession).

Justin Martyr is the next leader examined. Legend has it, and I see no reason to dismiss it, that Apollos of the New Testament converted Justin from Platonic philosophy to Christianity (and of course, a Christianized Platonism). Justin's work is valuable in showing the first major response to learned critics (and perhaps embarrassing Christians today by showing that Judaism has always been a staunch enemy of Christianity, even on Judaism's own terms).

St Irenaeus of Lyons receives the most attention, given that *Adversus Haerisis* is the longest work. St Irenaeus is particularly difficult to read. He is dealing with Gnosticism, which like today's feminism and New Age movement, is painfully dense and laborious. Only the most heroic of readers can wade through this part (Books 1 and 2). I didn't.

Book 3 is a bit more concrete and begin St Irenaeus' actual rebuttal. St Irenaeus uses a number of internal critiques against the Gnostics. They accept the testimony of the Scriptures to some degree, so Irenaeus shows how the implications of their beliefs either contradict the Scriptures or lead to absurdities.

Books 4 and 5 begin and end with a positive presentation of Christian doctrine. Key to his argument has been his assumption of "apostolic succession." Given that anybody can marshal scripture references, the only way to dodge the impasse (Mexican stand off) his for one to show that they have continuity--physical, historically verifiable continuity with the apostles. Irenaeus sets forth an apostolic succession and an apostolic canon (or the beginnings of one, anyway. And for what it's worth, Irenaeus accepts the validity of the deutero-canonical LXX).

The book is dense and makes for difficult reading. His style isn't the smoothest and even with the best of writers, his subject matter is particularly painful (but then again, he is refuting heresy and heresy is always drab and boring). Still, this entire volume is a snapshot into the life of the earliest post-apostolic church.