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{en} Maxwell Staniforth. Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1968.

Abstract

These writings, new translated from Greek, are the earliest and most venerable examples of the mass of ecclesiastical literature produced in the first centuries A.D. They are the work of a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, who faithfully preserved the Apostolic teaching and tradition between the time of the Apostles and the late second century. Most of their writings take the form of epistles: those of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp, for example, are warmly human and affectionate, while the anonymous "Epistle to Diognetus" and the "Epistle of Barnabas" are more impersonal. All, however, have a genuine pastoral concern -- they are interested more in people than ideas, in practice more than dogma.

Contents

The first epistle of Clement to the Corinthians -- The epistles of Ignatius. To the Ephesians ; To the Magnesians ; To the Trallians ; To the Romans ; To the Philadelphians ; To the Smyrnaeans ; To Polycarp -- The epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians and The martyrdom of Polycarp -- The epistle to Diognetus -- The epistle of Barnabas -- The Didache.

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