Title Page

GENERAL EDITORS' PREFACE

CONTENTS page PREFACE 13

PREFACE

Introduction to Early Christian Literature and Its Setting

THE LITERATURE

THE SETTING

BASIC WORKS ON EARLY CHRISTIAN LITERATURE AND HISTORY

LETTERS IN CRISES: Clement's First Letter

INTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS

The Letter of the Church of Rome

The Letters of Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch

INTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS

The Letters of Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch

TO THE EPHESIANS

TO THE MAGNESIANS

TO THE TRALLIANS

TO THE ROMANS

TO THE PHILADELPHIANS

TO THE SMYRNAEANS

TO POLYCARP

The Letter of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, to the Philippians

INTRODUCTION

BOOKS

The Letter of Saint Polycarp,

THE WAY OF MARTYRDOM

The Martyrdom of Polycarp,

INTRODUCTION

BOOKS

The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp,

A CHURCH MANUAL: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache

INTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to the Corinthians cINTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to the Corinthians

IN DEFENSE OF THE FAITH: The So-called Letter to Diognetus

INTRODUCTION AND BOOKS

The So-called Letter to Diognetus

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr

INTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Philosopher

INTRODUCTION

MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian

AN EXPOSITION OF THE FAITH:

Selections from the Work Against Heresies

INTRODUCTION

BOOKS

Selections from the Work Against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons: "The Refutation and Overthrow of the Knowledge Falsely So Called"