The writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions & organization of the infant church during an otherwise little-known period of its development A selection of letters & small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles they provide a first-hand account of the early Church & outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology & traditions of its parent religion Judaism Included here are the first Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome an impassioned plea for harmony; The Epistle of Polycarp; The Epistle of Barnabas; The Didache; & the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch
- among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death