The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church

by Jimmy Akin

Publisher:

Catholic Answers

, 2010

Overview

The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church is a unique resource. It introduces you to the teachings of the first Christians in a way no other work can. It is specially designed to make it easy for you to find the information you want and need. Amazing features in this fact-packed book include:

• More than 900 quotations from the writings of the Early Church Fathers, as well as from rare and important documents dating back to the dawn of Christian history
• Mini-biographies of nearly 100 fathers, as well as descriptions of dozens of key early councils and writings
• A concise history of the dramatic spread of Christianity after Jesus told his disciples to evangelize all nations
• Special maps showing you where the fathers lived, including many little-known and long-vanished locations
• A guide to nearly 30 ancient heresies, many of which have returned to haunt the modern world
• The fathers’ teaching on nearly 50 topics, including modern hot-button issues like abortion, homosexuality, and divorce.

This groundbreaking work presents the teachings of the early Christians in a way unlike any other book. It flings open the doors of the crucial but little-known age covering the birth of Christianity and the triumphant march of the gospel throughout the ancient world.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

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Contents

Top Highlights

“But here someone perhaps will ask, ‘Since the canon of Scripture is complete, and sufficient of itself for” (Page 173)

“The fourth and final criterion—approval by the Church” (Page 25)

“It is noteworthy that all seven of the ecumenical councils accepted by both East and West occurred in Turkey and that both the first and the last of these took place in Nicaea.” (Page 41)

“Arian crisis broke out, and in 325 Constantine convoked what would be the first ecumenical council, Nicaea” (Page 40)

“But in respect of the case of the infants, which you [Fidus] say ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, and that the law of ancient circumcision should be followed, so that one who is just born should not be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day, we all thought very differently in our council. For no one agreed with the course you thought should be taken; rather we all judge that the mercy and grace of God is not to be refused to anyone born of man [Letters 58:2 (c. a.d. 253)].” (Page 283)

Praise for the Print Edition

We are particularly blessed by this release of Jimmy Akin’s superbly compiled synopsis of the writings of the early Church Fathers. There are other works, but Akin’s finely selected and categorized collection provides a far more accessible introduction to the early Christians.

—Marcus Grodi, president of The Coming Home Network and host of EWTN’s The Journey Home

Product Details

• Title: The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church
• Author: Jimmy Akin
• Publisher: Catholic Answers
• Print Publication Date: 2010
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 452
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Fathers of the church; Church history › Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600; Middle East › Church history
• Resource ID: LLS:FATHKNOWBEST
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:41:41Z

About Jimmy Akin

Jimmy Akin (born 1965) is a Catholic apologist for Catholic Answers who has authored several books on Catholic apologetics, evangelization, liturgy, and controversial issues. He is also a primary contributor to This Rock magazine and has appeared on radio and television defending and explaining the Catholic faith.