Echoes of the Apostles

 Did you ever wonder why the Church Fathers didn't sign their names to what they wrote?  Who wrote the Didache?  Who was the Shepherd of Hermes?  

It seems that these writings are written with authority.  Their tone is unquestionable.  They wrote about the internal organization of the Christian communities of the times. They deal authoritatively with liturgical discipline, moral conduct, wavering faith, and correct teachings.  There seems to be no need to sign their names to their works.  The community accepted the teachings, as from the Apostles.

Lafayette College fresco Christ Among His Apostles · A&S 325: Museums Studies · Exhibits @ Lafayette College

Fathers of the Church

 Some times the early church fathers are called the Apostolic Fathers because their writings talk of the original 12 apostles' work, and maybe even knew some of the apostles, at least they learned from them.  They lived in the 1st and 2nd century.  Peter is one, and his letters are in the New Testament.  Linus is considered the second pope, and although he is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, there aren't any writings from him.  

Since these early writers, wrote, we know of them.  So, they are continuing the work of the Apostles.  Hence, Apostolic Fathers.  They are important because they describe the life, and ideas, of the first Christian communities.  I'm learning about them and will post, as I learn.