4: The Apostolic Fathers

The Apostolic Fathers is a collection of Christian writings primarily from the second century.

• The Didache
• Epistle of Barnabas
• 1 Clement
• Shepherd of Hermas
• Epistles of Ignatius
• Fragments of Papias
• 2 Clement
• Epistle of Polycarp
• Martyrdom of Polycarp
• Fragment of Quadratus
• Epistle to Diognetus

Sources for APF (Apostolic Fathers)

• Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org)
• Michael Holmes’ translation (available in English or English in parallel with Greek)

Didache (60-150)¹

• Jewish-Christian document
• Partly focused on righteous living and partly on church order (baptism, communion, fasting, hospitality, etc.)

Research Recommendation

• David Bercot’s A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs

Epistle of Barnabas (70-132)²

• Author referred to as Psuedo-Barnabas
• Allegorizing method of interpreting scripture, especially the Old Testament

1 Clement (80-100)³

• Letter written from Roman leader to help church of Corinth resolve a dispute

Shepherd of Hermas (100-150)⁴

• Freed slave writing on holiness and repentance

Epistles of Ignatius (108-160)

• Bishop in Antioch
• Arrested and brought to Rome where he faced martyrdom
• Three recensions survive: long, middle, and short
• Long Recension
  • To the Ephesians
  • To the Magnesians
  • To the Trallians
  • To the Romans
  • To the Philadelphians
  • To the Smyrnaeans
  • To Polycarp
  • To Mary of Cassabola
  • From Mary of Cassabola
  • To Tarsians
  • To Antiochenes
  • To Philippians
  • To Hero
•  Middle Recension⁵
  • To the Ephesians
  • To the Magnesians
  • To the Trallians
  • To the Romans
  • To the Philadelphians
  • To the Smyrnaeans
  • To Polycarp
• Short Recension
  • To the Ephesians
  • To the Romans
  • To Polycarp

Fragments of Papias (130)⁶

• Preferred oral testimony to written⁷
• Wanted to get to the truth of the matter
• Bishop in Hierapolis

2 Clement (130-160)⁸

• Neither a letter nor was it written by Clement
• Anonymous sermon

Polycarp to the Philippians (135-160)

• The Philippians had requested Polycarp to discuss righteousness

Martyrdom of Polycarp (155-175)

• Narrates story of Polycarp’s capture, interrogation, and public execution in Smyrna
• Sets precedent for future martyrs

Review

• The Apostolic Fathers is a diverse collection of Christian books from the 2nd century
• Major focus Christian morality
• Identity vis-à-vis Judaism
• Variety of views about Christ
• Authenticity (Papias) and unity (Ignatius, 1 Clement)