Index of /afs/athena.mit.edu/activity/c/csa/www/documents

      Name                    Last modified       Size  Description


[DIR] Parent Directory        24-Apr-2000 02:24      -  
[   ] 1Clement                23-Dec-1994 01:02    80k  
[   ] 2Clement                23-Dec-1994 01:02    24k  
[   ] Barnabas                23-Dec-1994 01:02    54k  
[   ] Hermas                  23-Dec-1994 01:02   216k  
[   ] Polycarp                23-Dec-1994 01:03    13k  
[DIR] Spanish/                08-Jan-1998 00:04      -  
[   ] didache                 23-Dec-1994 01:03    18k  

<head>
<TITLE>Early Church Documents (circa 96-150 A.D.)</TITLE>
</head>
<body>
<H1>Early Church Documents (circa 96-150 A.D.)</H1>
<B>Introductory Comments by Aaron Cárdenas <I>&lt<A HREF  = "http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/a/a/aaronc/www/home.html">aaronc@mit.edu</A>&gt</I></B>
<P>
These are early church documents from the Apostolic Fathers.
Since they are not scripture, naturally the doctrine suffers.  The only of these documents that I would recommend as sound
doctrine is the 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
[ca 96].  The letter is not without a few glaring inaccuracies, however.  As for the rest of the letters, they have good teaching in places, but overall are lacking in accuracy.  I will need to read the letters in more detail to make any more recommendations.  The letters of Ignatius are difficult to judge with regard to doctrine, because they do not have much in the way of teaching.  
<P>
I've tried to limit these documents only to those written
before 200 A.D.  They came originally from a more complete <A HREF = "http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/christian-history.html">list</A> of Early Church Documents.  However, some bits of editing were needed to format some of the links for the Web and correct errors in italicizing.  I  am referring to some of the letters referenced in the links, not portions of the <A HREF = "http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/christian-history.html">NJB early church guide</A>, which follow below.
<P>
<A HREF = "1Clement">1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians</A> [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.
<P>
<A HREF = "2Clement">2nd Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians</A> [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. 
<P>
<A HREF = "Barnabas">The Epistle of Barnabas</A> [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. 
<P>
<A HREF = "Hermas">The Shepherd of Hermas</A> [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.
<P>
<A HREF = "Polycarp">The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians</A> [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.
<P>
<B>The Writings of Ignatius</B>: 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.<p>

<dl><ul>
<a name="Ignatius">
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-eph.txt">To 
the Ephesians</a>
 (cf. <a href="gopher://ccat.sas.upenn.edu:70/00/courses/rels/735/Ignatius_Ephesians%20Recensions%20%28ET%29">comparison</a> with other recensions)
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-mag.txt">To the Magnesians</a>
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-trl.txt">To the Trallians</a>
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-rom.txt">To the Romans</a> 
(cf. <a href="gopher://ccat.sas.upenn.edu:70/00/courses/rels/735/Ignatius_Romans%20Recensions%20%28ET%29">comparison</a> with other recensions)
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-phl.txt">To the Philadelphians</a>
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-smr.txt">To the Smyrnaeans</a>
<li><a href="http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/fathers/ignatius/ign-pol.txt">To Polycarp</a>
 (cf. <a href="gopher://ccat.sas.upenn.edu:70/00/courses/rels/735/Ignatius_Polycarp%20Recensions%20%28ET%29">comparison</a> with other recensions)
</ul>
<hr>
Document prepared by permission of NJB Team. Aaron Bryce Cardenas. 
Copyright (c) 1994 by John Brubaker and Gary Bogart. Reproduction and/or distribution for noncommercial purposes is permissible providing that the
guide is left fully intact. Please do not modify this document in any way
without prior written consent. Send additions or corrections to the 
compilers at NJB@iclnet93.iclnet.org.<hr>