Recommended: Early Church Fathers
The early church fathers are not inspired writers like the apostles, but they are faithful witnesses to the generation that followed them. They wrestled with persecution, heresy, and the challenge of preaching the gospel in a pagan world. Reading them is like hearing the voices of older brothers in the faith—sometimes flawed, sometimes surprising, but deeply instructive.
For evangelicals, engaging with the fathers keeps us rooted in the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). It reminds us that our faith is not new, and that God has preserved His church across the centuries.
Getting Started
Clear, faithful introductions for those exploring the fathers for the first time. These books are accessible, trustworthy, and designed to help laypeople, newer believers, or curious readers build a strong foundation without getting overwhelmed.
The Apostolic Fathers – Edited by Michael Holmes
A standard, readable edition of the first Christian writings outside the New Testament. Includes 1 & 2 Clement, the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Shepherd of Hermas, and letters from Ignatius and Polycarp.
Nick Needham – Daily Readings: The Early Church Fathers
A devotional-style introduction, with one-page readings from the fathers alongside Scripture. An excellent way to dip in daily without feeling lost in ancient prose.
Bryan Litfin – Getting to Know the Church Fathers
Written for evangelicals, Litfin introduces major figures (Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine, and more). Warm, readable, and ideal for a first encounter.
Christopher Hall – Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers
Part of IVP’s Ancient Christian Commentary series. Shows how the fathers approached Scripture, with plenty of examples and explanation. Accessible, but thoughtful.
Going Deeper
Thoughtful works for pastors, teachers, and serious students eager to explore Scripture and theology at greater depth. These books assume some familiarity and invite readers into the rich, layered beauty of God’s truth.
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series (Series, Hendrickson reprint)
Massive multivolume set of English translations, including Augustine’s Confessions and City of God, Chrysostom’s sermons, Athanasius’ On the Incarnation, and Gregory Nazianzen’s orations.
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series (Series, Hendrickson reprint)
The second of the series.
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Series, Hendrickson reprint)
Covers writers before the Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and more.
The Cambridge History of Early Christian Literature – Edited by Frances Young, Lewis Ayres, and Andrew Louth
An authoritative survey of texts and themes in early Christianity, giving historical and literary context alongside the writings themselves.
Historical Theology – Gregg Allison
A survey of how doctrines developed from the early church through today. Useful for setting the fathers in the broader stream of Christian thought.
The Story of Christian Theology – Roger Olson
A sweeping narrative of how theology developed, including extensive coverage of the early fathers. Olson is broadly evangelical, not Reformed, but his overview is clear and accessible for students.
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Series, IVP)
Not primary sources but excerpts from the fathers organized by biblical book. Helpful for pastors or Bible teachers who want to see how the early church read and preached particular passages.
Other Helpful Individual Works by the Fathers
If someone wants to start with the fathers themselves, here are a few with enduring devotional and theological value:
- Augustine – Confessions (part autobiography, part prayer, still spiritually piercing).
- Athanasius – On the Incarnation (a joyful, clear defense of the incarnation; C.S. Lewis wrote the introduction to the English edition).
- John Chrysostom – On Marriage and Family Life (practical pastoral sermons on household life, still fresh in tone).
- Polycarp – Epistle to the Philippians (short, straightforward, and encouraging, echoing the New Testament closely).
- Ignatius of Antioch – Letters (full of pastoral counsel and courage on the way to martyrdom).
We often use clearly-marked affiliate links here for products and services we personally enjoy. This includes Amazon links, as well as other partnerships as clearly noted. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work in this way.
Disclaimer: The resources listed here have been selected because they offer particular value for Christian growth and understanding. Their inclusion does not imply full agreement with every statement or position taken by the authors. As with any book outside of Scripture, readers should exercise discernment, testing all things by the Word of God (Acts 17:11).