Beginning to Read the Fathers is an introduction to the Church's earliest writers, preachers and theologians. It presupposes no more knowledge on the part of the reader than that the Fathers existed and that their ideas might be important and perhaps even interesting. The book does not restrict itself to such topics as Christology and ecclesiology but includes other areas, like martyrdom and prayer, which were highly important in shaping the mind and heart of the early Church.  The material in this book is arranged thematically and follows a natural progression. Each chapter attempts to give a real taste of the subject in question by providing numerous selections from the writings of the Fathers, some of them classic statements and some relatively obscure. Fathers from nearly all periods and traditions are cited. The author's opinions, although not nonexistent, are subordinate to the presentation of the Fathers themselves. The work was written in a non-technical style to be read both by beginners and by people with some expertise in the field. It concludes with suggestions for a patristics reading program for those who wish to pursue a study of the Fathers in more depth.

Beginning to Read the Fathers

Religion & Spirituality

Ramsey, Boniface

Christian Books & Bibles

SCM Press Ltd.

St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, was one of the most important figures of the fourth century Roman empire. This volume explores the enormous impact of Ambrose on Western civilization, and examines the complexity of his ideas and influence; as a poet, ascetic, mystic and politician. Ambrose combines an up-to-date account of his life and work, with translations of key writings. Ramsey's volume presents a comprehensive and accessible insight into a relatively unexplored persona and argues that Ambrose has influenced the Western world in ways as yet unrealized.

Ambrose (The Early Church Fathers)

History

Ancient Civilizations

Routledge

Ambrose [The Early Church Fathers]

In four superb homilies and a concluding essay, Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, provides a clear and inspiring exploration of the Genesis creation narratives. While the stories of the world’s creation and the fall of humankind have often been subjected to reductionism of one sort or another ― literalists treat the Bible as a science textbook whereas rationalists divorce God from creation ― Ratzinger presents a rich, balanced Catholic understanding of these early biblical writings and attests to their enduring vitality. Beginning each homily with a text selected from the first three chapters of Genesis, Ratzinger discusses, in turn, God the creator, the meaning of the biblical creation accounts, the creation of human beings, and sin and salvation; in the appendix he unpacks the beneficial consequences of faith in creation. Expertly translated from German, these reflections set out a reasonable and biblical approach to creation. ‘In the Beginning . . .’ also serves as an excellent homiletic resource for priests and pastors.

In the Beginning…': A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall (Ressourcement: Retrieval and Renewal in Catholic Thought (RRRCT))

Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal

Eerdmans

Gathers early Christian writings by first century theologians and preachers, and discusses Christology, ecclesiology, martyrdom, prayer, poverty, and the Church's ministry

World

Paulist Pr

A survey of the principal themes of patristic writing, touching on the major Greek and Latin fathers of the church, now revised.

Beginning to Read the Fathers: Revised Edition

Paulist Press

Ambrose

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