Overview
The Apostolic Fathers is an important collection of writings revered by early Christians but not included in the final canon of the New Testament. Here a leading expert on these texts offers an authoritative contemporary translation, in the tradition of the magisterial Lightfoot version but thoroughly up-to-date.
The third edition features numerous changes, including carefully revised translations and a new, more user-friendly design. The introduction, notes, and bibliographies have been freshly revised as well.
The third edition features numerous changes, including carefully revised translations and a new, more user-friendly design. The introduction, notes, and bibliographies have been freshly revised as well.
Endorsements
“This third edition of a well-known classic features improved layout, revised introductions, improved translations, and expanded bibliographies. In short, it is a splendid teaching tool for university or masters programs in which the Greek text cannot be used. Students will find these intriguing texts accessible and comprehensible.”
Carolyn Osiek, professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School
“This newly revised, third edition of translations of the Apostolic Fathers by Michael Holmes offers a marked improvement over previous versions of the widely used Lightfoot/Harmer English-only tradition. In his own masterful style Holmes has reintegrated useful introductions and current bibliographies into the collection, tweaking the translations and advancing the overall feel of the volume. This work will undoubtedly make a worthy contribution to the personal libraries of students and scholars alike in patristic studies. I recommend it highly!”
Clayton N. Jefford, professor of Scripture, Saint Meinrad School of Theology
“After the New Testament itself, churchmen like Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp provide the very earliest writings of Christianity, and so their testimony is of enormous importance. More than church fathers, they are Apostolic Fathers, immediately adjacent to the events that gave rise to our faith. Small wonder, then, that Michael W. Holmes has focused his scholarship on this group, bringing out a third edition with all its enhancements in translation and commentary. Extremely readable and helpfully divided by headers, these texts are a gold mine of evidence on earliest Christian theology, worship, and history, including information on what happened to Peter and Paul at the end of their lives. As such, this material is next to the Bible in importance.”
Paul L. Maier, professor of ancient history, Western Michigan University, and author of In the Fullness of Time
Author
Michael W. Holmes
Michael W. Holmes (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is executive director of the Scholars Initiative
at the Museum of the Bible. He previously served as professor of biblical studies and early Christianity at Bethel University. Holmes is the author or editor of several books, including a commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. A leading scholar of the Apostolic Fathers, he is currently writing a major critical commentary on Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians and The Martyrdom of Polycarp.