The Early Church Collection Volume 1 is a fascinating glimpse into the origins of Christianity and the early days of the Church. The collection features a diverse range of writings from various figures in the early Church, offering insights into their beliefs, practices, and struggles.

The variety of texts included in this volume provides a well-rounded view of the early Church, highlighting the diversity of thought and theology that existed within the early Christian community. From the letters of Ignatius of Antioch to the teachings of Clement of Alexandria, there is a wealth of material to explore and learn from in this collection.

The introductions to each text provide helpful context and background information, guiding the reader through the complexities of the ancient texts and making them more accessible to modern readers. Overall, the Early Church Collection Volume 1 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in early Christian history and theology, offering a comprehensive look at the foundations of the Church.

Book Description:
The collection begins with two short works on the Trinity by Gregory of Nyssa, followed by two works on Christology by Theodoret and Pope Leo I. Victorinus interprets Genesis 1 allegorically to justify certain early church practices and traces the number 7 through the whole Bible. Hippolytus lists various liturgical practices of the Roman church at the start of the 3rd century with potentially much earlier origins. In "On the Faith", Gregory of Nyssa defends the divinity of the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. The Epistle of Barnabas represents a 2nd or even 1st century example of the "parting of the ways" between early Christianity and Judaism. Commodianus' Instructions are a collection of 80 acrostic poems on various subjects, not least Christian responses to various Greek gods. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the earliest of the church's martyrdom narratives and proved defining for the genre. The collection ends with Julian the Apostate's efforts to curtain Christianity in the Roman Empire subsequent to Constantine's conversion.