The Apostolic Fathers: An Introduction
This volume was first published in 2009 under the title Die Apostolischen Väter: Eine Einleitung as part of the German Uni Taschenbücher (UTB) series of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. Its contributors represent some of Europe's more prominent patristic scholars. On the surface, the book looks like a Germanic response to a similar work recently edited by Paul Foster (The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers, 2007), which featured mainly British and American scholars. Among these, only Jonathan A. Draper of South Africa has contributed to both collections. The present volume is published in honor of Kurt Niederwimmer's eightieth birthday and has been translated into English by Elisabeth G. Wolfe.
The volume begins with a brief survey of how the apostolic fathers have been gathered historically (1-6), outlining various collections as assembled since Cotelier's inaugural work in 1672. A chart of editorial editions is included. Afterward, each piece of the collection is addressed with a review of manuscript evidence and questions of higher criticism. Unique features of individual authors and texts receive attention, with explicit focus given to theological profiles throughout.
Draper's opening piece on the Didache (7-26) compares favorably to his parallel essay in the Foster volume, giving more attention to theological elements and less to individual passages. His focus is directed toward Jewish background and context, as readers will recognize from his previous articles on the subject. Ferdinand R. Prostmeier reviews Barnabas (27-45) with an eye toward issues of structure and anti-Jewish polemic. His conclusions are a worthy distillation of his exhaustive commentary (KAV 8) from 1999. Next follows 1 Clement (47-69) by Andreas Lindemann, whose 1992 commentary on 1-2 Clement (HNT 17) and translation of the apostolic fathers with Henning Paulsen are widely celebrated. His review is solid, though directed primarily toward structure and textual progression. This piece contains the shortest section on theology and, like several others, provides three full pages of bibliography.
Pratscher then offers a survey of 2 Clement (71-90), giving more attention to theology and intertextual relationships within the tradition. A useful section on ethical considerations is included. His observations reflect those of his 2007 commentary (KAV 3). The article on Ignatius of Antioch (91-115) by Hermut Löhr is among the longer essays, made necessary by the complicated manuscript [End Page 167] tradition. An outline of the middle recension is provided and his analysis of Ignatian theology is well illustrated, if perhaps a bit succinctly. The epistle of Polycarp (117-33) by the late Boudewijn Dehandschutter follows. The essay is balanced and thorough, yet omits the theological component found elsewhere. While he is well known for his work on Martyrdom of Polycarp (BETL 52 and 205), this was not his present assignment.
The Martyrdom (135-57) essay is offered instead by Gerd Buschmann, who has published widely on the text since his 1994 monograph. Special attention is given to historicity, intertextual relationships, and structure. Curiously, his piece on theology depends heavily upon the role of Ignatius. Ulrich H. J. Körtner then offers a solid review of the fragments of Papias (160-79). While his appraisal is most helpful, this is among the shortest of sections and no doubt draws largely on his 1983 monograph (FRLANT 133). Pratscher appears yet again with a review of the apology of Quadratus (181-95), a text that is not typically included separately within the apostolic fathers. His analysis is constructive and reflects known patristic testimony.
The section on Diognetus (197-213) by Horacio E. Lona naturally follows that of Quadratus. His 2007 commentary on the same topic (KFA 8) stands as the most complete survey on the subject to date, and this essay reflects many conclusions found there. David Hellholm concludes the entries with his article on Shepherd of Hermas (215-42). His concern for structure and genre are readily apparent throughout, and his analysis of apocalyptic background reflects his earlier study of 1980 (ConBNT 13). The volume closes with Jürg Ulrich's appropriate closing essay, "The Apostolic Fathers Yesterday and Today" (243-60), and a listing of editions and translations of the apostolic fathers since the work of Cotelier.
In summary, one finds here a meticulous introduction to continental scholarship on the apostolic fathers and a welcome publication for the English reader. The style is occasionally a little technical for the casual student or for use in the classroom, but the work is certainly sound in concept and design. [End Page 168]
