I read through this book some years ago, and decided to read it again, because I had forgotten most of it! Books containing the words of those who knew the apostles, or those who knew those who knew the apostles, can bring is near to the men themselves. This gives us better insight into how the early church went about its business. Here we have Ignatius and Polycarp, both of whom knew the apostle Paul. Also, Clement of Rome writing a very long letter to the strong-willed men at Corinth, little changing there since Paul wrote his letters 50 years before.
Clement was a presbyter (Bishop was not used in the 1st century) of Rome in the late 90s of the first century, he may also have known John, though John was based in Asia, now south-west Turkey at the time. His letter is more of a dissertation regarding the authority of church leaders. An authority he wished to see imposed as there were many false teachers wishing to move in and corrupt the church at the time. This is a very long letter, and we have no idea if anyone in Corinth responded to it. One of the great problems with the ancients is the way important letters and books disappear in the course of time. Very annoying.
Ignatius of Antioch. He had the dubious delight of debating with the Emperor Trajan, one of Rome's better Emperors, and attempted to justify Christian belief, and their refusal to worship emperors. Trajan was not convinced, he sent Ignatius to Rome for execution around the year 109. We have a better idea of Trajan from the Letters of the Younger Pliny 110 AD, where Pliny send his questions re various topics to the Emperor for his opinion. Among these are questions regarding Christians.
So Ignatius walked to Rome, no buses were available in those days, and on the way he wrote 7 letters to various churches giving us some understanding of how they operated, and what he wished to see among them. Again one of his main concerns is the rule by authorised individuals to ensure the true doctrines were being offered, sticking to the teachings of the apostles whom he had met. It is always very easy for any church to allow other ideas to take hold and lead to sin and heresy very easily.
One letter is addressed to Polycarp, a younger version of himself, who also had 'sat at the feet of John.' We also have one letter from Polycarp, followed by a report of his martyrdom when he was around 82 years of age. Both men died facing the future with their God, Ignatius almost wallowing in the fact that he can be considered worthy enough to die for his God.
These men knew God in a way we fail to comprehend.
To Diognetus Is a strange kind of apologetic work about which little is known, possibly from the second century. No ancient writer mentions it.
The Epistle of Barnabas Another strange work, of which little is known, though much speculation follows today. People prefer the unusual rather than the straight forward of course.
The Didache is the last offering here. This may have been written in the latter part of the 1st century, or sometime within the next 100 years, scholars are still debating this. Some reckon the teachings are often Jesus oral words, others teachings from the apostles themselves. This could be the case, it may not be. It could be written in Egypt or Syria, again debate continues. However, early Christians do mention it, and it is considered possible that early churches used it as a teaching manual. Whatever, it is worth a read.
All these letters and writings, though one or two are doubtful, take us back to the early church, the teachings of the apostles, and the men who knew them and followed them. I believe it required reading to study such works as we get closer to the beginnings of the faith and the reaction of the early believers. So much has been added since it is often difficult to know what is true or false.
This translation is by Maxwell Staniforth, one of two translations for Penguin Books. Seeking a classical academic career he ended up in the Great War. After this he worked on railways in Argentina, and then became a vicar in Dorset. He was a man of his time, as seen by the use of 'Thee and Thou,' when prayer is offered in these pages. Whether he used 'Thee' in his translations of 'Meditations,' by Marcus Aurelius I have not checked.
I recommend this book.
