This is my last post (at least in this series) on the Apostolic Fathers.泭 But together with my class, we have come up with a list of thumbnail descriptions to help us remember the various writings of the Apostolic Fathers.泭 Here is our list (in the order we read these writings):

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Polycarps Letter to the Philippians:泭 Helpful instruction about living a righteous life from perhaps the most important church leader of the early second century.

Martyrdom of Polycarp:泭 Polycarps泭 martyrdom described as in accord with the pattern of the gospel of Christ that we might imitate Christ like Polycarp did in his martyrdom.

Fragments of Polycarp:泭 Additional fragments of Polycarp as remembered by Irenaeus.

Fragments of Papias:泭 Preferred the oral tradition; some dispute whether he thought there was one John (the Apostle) or two (John the Apostle and John the Elder).

Letters of Ignatius:泭 Wrote seven letters to churches on his way to be martyred in Rome.泭 Wanted everyone to obey the bishop unquestioningly.

1 Clement:泭 A letter from the church in Rome to the church in Corinth with warnings for a youthful faction that was challenging Corinths leadership.泭 Extensive use of the Old Testament.

Shepherd of Hermas:泭 Lots of visions and angelic visits.

The Didache:泭 Early church manualvery practical.

(So-called) Epistle of Barnabas:泭 Allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament.

2 Clement:泭 Early Christian sermon about repentance and self-control.

To Diognetus:泭 A defense of the Christian faith (apology) to an unbeliever named Diognetus.


You will not find these fragments in any printed version of the Apostolic Fathers.泭 But they can be accessed in Charles E. Hill, From the Lost Teaching of Polycarp (Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2006), 37-71.

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