Aside from the New Testament few important Christian writings existed before the middle of the second century. But practical problems of Christian life or church administration prompted several writers to express their opinions. They are called the Apostolic Fathers. The earliest of these writers was Clement of Rome, who in about the year 96 wrote to the Christians at Corinth a letter of friendly counsel. He blamed them for their dissension and their rebellion against their church leaders. Ignatius, head of the church at Antioch, wrote several letters to Christian churches as he traveled to Rome in 115 where he was martyred. In these letters, he emphasized the importance of the bishop’s office. Polycarp, an aged bishop of the church at Smyrna, who also suffered death for his faith in the same period, wrote an affectionate letter to the church at Philippi. None of these letters are statements of doctrine or systematic discussions of organization or worship, but they deal with matters that were important to Christian leaders of the day. A fourth letter of the same period bears the name of Barnabas, though there is no evidence that the companion of Paul wrote it. The Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, originated in Syria or Egypt and was influential among the churches of the Near East. While the first part of the Didache was spiritually edifying, the second part dealt with such details as church government, the role of ministers, and the Second Coming of Christ. A sixth document, which dates from the end of the Apostolic Age, is the Shepherd of Hermas, which was so highly esteemed that it was read frequently at services of worship. It is an allegory that tells of a shepherd who brings a message of repentance to Christians.
Impact: These writings encouraged the early Christians and give scholars today information about a period of early Christian history that is otherwise relatively obscure.