The four beasts of Daniel find their counterparts in the lion, ox, man, and eagle of Ezekiel and Revelation. It is no wonder these books, despite the difficulties in interpreting them, took hold on the imagination of the early church.

In this ACCS volume, the insights of Augustine of Hippo, Clement of Alexandria, Ephrem the Syrian, and Cyril of Jerusalem join in a polyphony of interpretive voices from the second to the eighth century.

Christopher Hall shows that studying the writings of the leaders of the early church reveals how the Bible was understood in the centuries closest to its writing.

In this ACCS volume, the insights of Augustine of Hippo, Clement of Alexandria, Ephrem the Syrian, and Cyril of Jerusalem join in a polyphony of interpretive voices from the second to the eighth century.

The book of Job presents its readers with a profound drama concerning innocent suffering.

This ACCS volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom that allows these faithful witnesses to speak with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today.

First Published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Their questioned authority has nevertheless affected the choice of books included here, not by a priori judgment but by the paucity of comment from which to choose. None of the early fathers dedicated commentaries to these texts as a whole.

This work is part of a 27-volume series offering contemporary readers an opportunity to study for themselves the key writings of the early church fathers. Bray teaches Anglican studies at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University.

In this ACCS volume readers will find rich comment and theological reflection from more than sixty-five ancient authors.