A rather odd reading experience; this is obviously better used in a classroom, with a lecturer providing context. But otherwise, precisely what it says it is, with extremely short snippets of prose by the early church fathers. Bettenson has fairly high standards, so many of his remarks seem a little snarky (Justin is "utterly lacking in charm", for instance), but if I'd had to put together a book like this (not to mention the companion volume) I'd probably be a bit snarky too. ( )

The authors represented in this volume are the principal writers of the Church in the Roman Empire from the period immediately after the New Testament down to the age of Constantine and the council of Nicaea (A.D. 325). They include St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Justin, Tertullian, St. Irenaeus, St. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, St. Cyprian and St. Athanasius. Whereas in the past these names might have seemed of merely antiquarian interest, there is now a wide and growing appreciation of their value and relevance, even for the non-academic reader, and particularly for all who wish to understand Christian doctrine. Mr. Bettenson, whose selection of Documents of the Christian Church is now widely known, has selected passages to display as fully as possible the thought of these writers, especially on the great doctrinal themes, and has himself translated them afresh, with brief annotation where necessary.

A good overview of the Early Church Fathers, but not an easy read. Some introductions/summarizations might be helpful. ( )

There is now a wide and growing appreciation of the value and relevance of the writings of the Fathers of the early Church, even for non-academic readers, and particularly for all who wish to understand Christian doctrine. The authors represented in the volume, first published in 1956, are the principal writers of the Church in the Roman Empire from the period immediately after the New Testament down to the age of Constantine and the council of Nicaea (AD 325). They include St Ignatius of Antioch, St Justin, Tertullian, St Irenaeus, St Clement of Alexandra, Origen, St Cyprian, and St Athanasius. Bettenson has selected passages to display as fully as possible the thought of the early Fathers, especially on the great doctrinal themes, and has himself translated them afresh, with brief annotation where necessary.