About the Book

What did Christianity look like before it became an institution?

In these firsthand accounts of the early church, the spirit of Pentecost burns with prophetic force through the fog that envelops the modern church. A clear and vibrant faith lives on in these writings, providing a guide for Christians today. Its stark simplicity and revolutionary fervor will stun those lulled by conventional Christianity.

The Early Christians is a topically arranged collection of primary sources. It includes extra-biblical sayings of Jesus and excerpts from Origen, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement of Alexandria, Justin, Irenaeus, and others. Equally revealing material from pagan contemporaries – critics, detractors and persecutors – is included as well.

Hardcover, 6 x 9
ISBN:978-0874865967

Book Trailer

Praise

Arnold’s work calls back to those days when Christian love was free flowing and socially radical…A fine volume in a field which has few comparable productions.

Graydon F. Synder, Bethany Seminary

A compelling, fascinating, and direct account of one of the most important periods in the history of modern man.

James Luther Adams, Harvard Divinity School

This selection will not only help readers understand early Christianity intellectually; it will also challenge them to live more fully, abundantly, and even radically. If any proof were needed of the enduring power of Christianity, the fact that these ancient texts speak so directly to our situation almost two thousand years later would more than suffice.

Justo L. Gonzalez, Emory University

If you hold, like Arnold does, that Christianity is no longer Christianity if it departs too radically from its beginnings, you must read this book.

Roland H. Bainton, Professor Emeritus, Yale University

Tablet of Contents

I THE WITNESS OF THE EARLY CHURCH

  • by Eberhard Arnold

II THE STATE, SOCIETY AND MARTYRS

  • Pliny
  • Polycarp
  • Justin
  • Letter from Vienne and Lyons
  • Acts of Martyrs
  • Early Apologies

III SELF-PORTRAITS AND PORTRAYALS

  • Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, First Apology
  • Aristides, Apology
  • Origen, Against Celsus
  • Hippolytus, The Apostolic Tradition
  • Letter to Diognetus
  • Tertullian, Apology

IV CREED, CONFESSION AND SCRIPTURE

  • Apostolic Confession
  • Rule of Faith
  • Irenaeus, Against Heresies
  • Athenagoras, A Plea Regarding Christians
  • Late Athenagoras, On the Resurrection of the Dead
  • Justin, First Apology, Dialogue with Trypho
  • Muratorian Canon

V SAYINGS OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES

  • Extra-Biblical Sayings of Jesus
  • The Didache
  • First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians
  • Ignatius, Letters to the Ephesians, Romans, Smyrnaeans, and Polycarp
  • Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians
  • Letters of Barnabas

VI MEETINGS, WORSHIP AND CHURCH PRACTICES

  • Baptism
  • The Lord’s Supper or Love Meal
  • Distribution of Goods
  • Leadership and Gifts
  • Prayers and Hymns

VII PROCLAMATION AND THE PROPHETIC SPIRIT

  • Acts of Andrew
  • Justin, Dialogue with Trypho
  • Second Letter of Clement
  • The Shepherd of Hermas
  • Sibylline Oracles
  • Montanus
Tags:
Early Christians
Pentecost
Bible Studies
Discipleship