The Christian faith is based firmly on the Bible. But sometimes we act as if there is this great void between the time of the New Testament and our present experience.
The fact is, that there have been centuries of Christians wrestling with the Scriptures just as we do. One of the most helpful resources for us are the writings of those Christians who lived in the generation after the apostles.
I just finished reading Michael W. Holmes’ The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations. The Apostolic Fathers includes writings such as 1 & 2 Clement, Letters of Ignatius, Letter and Martyrdom of Polycarp, Didache, Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Epistle of Diognetus and Fragments of Papias.
Some of these writings were actually considered for a place in the New Testament canon. This translation includes helpful introductions and bibliographies. I highly recommend this valuable resource.
