Eberhard Arnold (1883–1935) studied theology, philosophy, and education and was widely sought as a speaker at student conferences and other gatherings. In 1920, leaving a promising career as a writer and the privileges of upper-middle- class life in Berlin, he moved with his wife and children to Sannerz, a small village in central Germany, where they founded a Christian community on the basis of the Sermon on the Mount.

This welcome anthology of writings from the first two centuries of Christendom is full and practical – and fervent.

• PrefaceThe Witness of the Early Churchby Eberhard Arnoldii The State, Society and MartyrsPlinyPolycarpJustinLetter from Vienne and LyonsActs of MartyrsEarly ApologiesNotesiii Self-Portraits and PortrayalsJustin, Dialogue with Trypho, First ApologyAristides, ApologyOrigen, Against CelsusHippolytus, The Apostolic TraditionLetter to DiognetusTertullian, ApologyNotesiv Creed, Confession and ScriptureApostolic ConfessionRule of FaithIrenaeus, Against HeresiesAthenagoras, A Plea Regarding ChristiansLate Athenagoras, On the Resurrection of the DeadJustin, First Apology, Dialogue with TryphoMuratorian CanonNotesv Sayings of Jesus and the ApostlesExtra-Biblical Sayings of JesusThe DidacheFirst Letter of Clement to the CorinthiansIgnatius, Letters to the Ephesians, Romans,Smyrnaeans, and PolycarpPolycarp, Letter to the PhilippiansLetter of BarnabasNotesvi Meetings, Worship and Church PracticesBaptismThe Lord’s Supper or Love MealDistribution of GoodsLeadership and GiftsPrayers and HymnsNotesvii Proclamation and the Prophetic SpiritActs of AndrewJustin, Dialogue with TryphoSecond Letter of ClementThe Shepherd of HermasSibylline OraclesMontanusNotesPostscriptSelected BibliographyIndex of Names and Selected Topics