Guide to Early Church Documents

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Contents

• 1. New Testament Canonical Information
• 2. Writings of the Apostolic Fathers
• 3. Patristic Texts
• 4. Creeds and Canons
• 5. Related Documents
• 6. Miscellaneous Texts

1. New Testament Canonical Information

• The Old Testament Canon of Scripture
• NT Canonical Information
• Dating of NT Books

2. The Apostolic Fathers

• 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians [ca 96]: A formal letter written on behalf of the Roman Christian community urging Christians who had been rebelling against church authority to be submissive and obedient. Tradition attributes it to Clement, allegedly one of the first bishops of Rome.

• 2nd Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians [ca 150]: Sermon thought not to be the writing of Clement himself. Advocates sound view of Christ, the resurrection, and holiness unto God. Enter into battle against the ways of this world, work out salvation through strength in Christ.

• The Epistle of Barnabas [ca 130]: This letter, probably not authored by the NT Barnabas, repudiates the claims of Jewish Christians at the time who advocated adhering to observance of the Mosiac Law. Argued that Christ provided salvation and man is no longer bound by the Law. Compares holy life to unrighteousness. The last part of this treatise consists of a form of the Two Ways Teaching also found at the start of the Didache.

• Didache (Teaching of the Lord through the Apostles): Eleventh century MS discovered by Philotheus Bryennios. The Didache consists of various parts, starting with the "Two Ways" ethical instruction (see Barn 18-21) and including community rules for liturgical practices and leadership conduct, before ending with a short apocalyptic section. While some of the material might go back before the year 100, the current form of the document is probably mid-second century at earliest.

• The Shepherd of Hermas [ca. 150]: Written by Hermas, who is believed to be brother of Pius, the Bishop of Rome. The Shepherd of Hermas is an apocalyptic document (in the sense that it claims to be revealed), modelled after the Book of Revelation. It deals with practical matters of church purity and discipline in second century Rome.

• The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians [ca 130?]: Polycarp was a church leader (bishop) in Smyrna, Asia Minor. Exhorted the Philippians to holy living, good works, steadfast faith. Interested in ministry and practical aspects of daily life of Christians.

• The Martyrdom of Polycarp: The earliest preserved Christian martyrology, probably from the latter part of the second century (not too long after the event). Records the tradition of the trial and execution (burned at the stake) of Polycarp.

• The Writings of Ignatius: Bishop of Antioch in Syria [ca 1-2 century] martyred in Rome by beasts (ca 105-116). On his way to Rome, he visits and then writes to various churches, warning and exhorting them. He also writes ahead to Rome, and writes to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Warned the church against heresies that threatened peace and unity, opposed Gnosticism and Docetism. In the Epistle to Smyrna, insisted Christ came in the flesh not just in spirit.

  • To the Ephesians (cf. comparison with other recensions)
  • To the Magnesians
  • To the Trallians
  • To the Romans (cf. comparison with other recensions)
  • To the Philadelphians
  • To the Smyrnaeans
  • To Polycarp (cf. comparison with other recensions)

3. Patristic Texts

• The Epistle of Mathetes (Believer/Disciple) to Diognetus: This Apologetic treatise? written perhaps ca 200, presents a rational defense of Christianity and shows the folly of idolatry. The document also discusses Christian influence in the world.

• The Writings of Tertullian: Our earliest extensively preserved Latin Christian author [140-230], who aligned himself around 207 with the "Montanist" Christian movement that was considered "heretical" by the representatives of emerging mainstream Christianity.

  • The Apparel of Women (AD 197)
  • To the Martyrs (AD 197)
  • Spectacles (AD 197)
  • Prayer (AD 200)
  • Patience (AD 203)

• The Writings of Cyprian: Cyprian [200-258] was the Overseer of the church in Carthage, Northa Africa, during a period of fierce persecution. After many years of persecution during which the church existed underground he was captured and executed by the Romans.

  • To Demetrian
  • To Donatus
  • The Dress of Virgins
  • That Idols Are Not Gods
  • Jealousy and Envy
  • The Lapsed
  • The Lord's Prayer
  • Exhortation to Martyrdom, to Fortunatus
  • Mortality
  • The Good of Patience
  • The Unity of the Catholic Church
  • Works and Almsgiving

• Athanasius: On the Incarnation. Athanasius [270-336] was the overseer of Alexandria after the death of Alexander. He worte several theological treatises and was the chief defender of the Nicene Creed.

• The Writings of Augustine: Augustine [354-430] was Overseer of the church at Hippo, North Africa, and is considered by many to be the father of western theology. Unlike earlier Christian writers, Augustine was not well-versed in the Greek Language. Thus, he did not use the Greek NT or the original texts of the early Christian writers as his sources but rather the Latin Vulgate and Latin translations of Greek texts

  • Confessions (translated by A.C. Outler)
  • Confessions (translated by E.B.Pusey)
  • Enchiridion (translated by A.C. Outler)
  • Dialectica (trans. J.Marchand)
  • Augustine on the Internet (James O'Donnell)
  • Papers by James J. O'Donnell on Augustine
  • Papers by participants in O'Donnell's Augustine Seminar, UPenn

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4. Creeds And Canons

• Creeds from the Bible (Statements of Faith)

• The Apostles Creed
  • Notes on the Apostles Creed

• Nicene Creed: As approved by the Nicaean council (325 AD)
• Nicene Creed: the Creed of Constantinople (381 AD)
  • Notes on the Nicene Creed
  • Notes on the Filioque Clause Controversy
  • The Church in the Nicene Creed
  • Nicene Creed: From The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
  • Nicene Creed: From Pocket Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians

• The Definition of Chalcedon (451 AD)

• The Athanasian Creed (c 500 AD)

• Canons of the Council of Orange (529 AD)

• Anathemas of the 2nd Council of Constantinople (533 AD)

• Creeds and Statements from the period after 600 AD
  • Statement from the 3rd Council of Constantinople (681 AD)
  • Statement from the Synod of Constantinople (753 AD)
  • Confession from the Council of Nicea (787 AD)

5. Other Related Documents

• Chronology 1 to 199 ce
• Chronology 200 to 640 ce
• Search UPenn's collection of Early Church Writings
• Lost Books of Early Christianity (R. Kraft)

6. Miscellaneous Documents

• Herodotus' (The History of Herodotus) [ca 440 BC]
• Thucydides' History Of The Peloponnesian War [ca 431 BC]
• Plato's Writings [ca 360 - 380 BC]
• Plutarch's Writings [ca 75 AD]
• Plotinus' Writings (The Six Enneads) [ca 250 AD]

• Frequently Asked Questions about Classics
• Guide to Latin Texts on the Internet