Reading Early Church Fathers

[PrayingTwice]

I’m interested in plunging into the writings of the early church fathers but it’s a bit intimidating at first glance. Where can I start so as not to wade through a lot that isn’t as relevant today and get to some writings that support the beliefs of the Church? Any suggestions for a beginner like myself?

 

[theMutant]

There is an excellent three volume compendium called “The Faith of the Early Fathers” edited by Fr. Jurgens (Jergens?). This contains relavent passages using the standard references employed by theologians of the writings of the Early Church. It also has a very good index to allow you to look up passages according to topic.

 

[metal1633]

PrayingTwice:

I’m interested in plunging into the writings of the early church fathers but it’s a bit intimidating at first glance. Where can I start so as not to wade through a lot that isn’t as relevant today and get to some writings that support the beliefs of the Church? Any suggestions for a beginner like myself?

Well you can download the whole collection here …zeitun-eg.net/ then I would suggest reading the first volume. It contains The Apostolic Fathers. Clement, Mathetes, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The suggested material is a good start. I would however suggest that you might begin with a Patrology and learn Who they were and when the lived. To get a big picture, I’m not yalking about reading a biography on each Father just getting a feel of who, where and when.

 

[copland]

I started off with St. Ambrose. I have studied the Bible to great lengths and felt I had a good grasp on theology but soon found out that I had just scratched the surface.

I think the deepest Father I have read is St. Augustine, and especially his writings on the Trinity.

There are some great links such as

newadvent.org/fathers/

earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html

But I prefer to read these from a paper text myself.

 

[Salmon]

PrayingTwice:

I’m interested in plunging into the writings of the early church fathers but it’s a bit intimidating at first glance. Where can I start so as not to wade through a lot that isn’t as relevant today and get to some writings that support the beliefs of the Church? Any suggestions for a beginner like myself?

If you intend to get introduced to the writings of the ECF’s without getting in over your head, you may wish to pick up a copy of:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0898708478.01.PE30_PIdp-schmoo2,TopRight,7,-26_SCMZZZZZZZ.jpg

Check out the reviews at:
Four Witnesses by Rod Bennet

It may well serve as an excellent intro to some writings by Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus.

Use it as a stepping stone to some of the suggestions made above.

Peace in Christ…Salmon

 

[hermit]

copland:

I started off with St. Ambrose. I have studied the Bible to great lengths and felt I had a good grasp on theology but soon found out that I had just scratched the surface.

I think the deepest Father I have read is St. Augustine, and especially his writings on the Trinity.

There are some great links such as

newadvent.org/fathers/

earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html

But I prefer to read these from a paper text myself.

I agree with your choice of websites. I think they are a good starting point. I would also suggest reading about the desert fathers.

My favorite early father is Clement of Alexandria.

 

[Augustine]

As a beginner myself, I usually read a saint’s biography, preferably auto-biography, before his ir her texts on doctrine or spirituality.

As you may have guessed, St. Augustine’s “Confessions” was the 1st Early Father’s text I’ve read. Now, whenever I read one of his magisterial texts, it’s a if I were talking to an old friend, one who has shared with me his life history.

HTH