Anonymous or pseudonymous author
The Shepherd of Hermas
A long Roman apocalypse of visions, commandments and parables, widely read in the early Church and in some places read publicly. It was not received into the canon of Scripture.
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- Dates
- first half of the second century — Dates from the late first century to around 150 are proposed; the work may have been composed in stages.
- Region
- Rome
- Language of composition
- Greek
Life
The Shepherd is a series of visions given to a Roman Christian named Hermas, a former slave, followed by commandments and parables delivered by an angelic figure dressed as a shepherd. Its great preoccupation is repentance: whether, and how often, a Christian who sins after baptism may be restored.
It was enormously popular. It survives in more Greek manuscripts than most early Christian works, and it was translated early into Latin. The fourth-century Codex Sinaiticus includes it after the New Testament books.
Works
Generally accepted as authentic
Theological and spiritual contribution
For the historian the Shepherd is a window onto the anxieties of a second-century Roman congregation: wealth, business, remarriage, and above all what happens to a baptised Christian who falls seriously.
Its place in the canon debate is instructive. It was read, quoted and honoured, and it was still not Scripture. The Muratorian Fragment says it may be read but not among the prophets or apostles. Eusebius places it among the disputed or spurious writings. Athanasius names it among books appointed to be read, outside the canon. That a book could be genuinely useful and genuinely not canonical is one of the most important things the canon story has to teach.
Related in this archive
-
The Didache
An anonymous early Christian church order, giving moral instruction, baptismal and eucharistic directions and rules for travelling teachers. Read and valued in the early Church; never received as Scripture.
-
How Scripture was formed
A gradual ecclesial process, not a single decision — and certainly not one taken at Nicaea.
-
Repentance
From the ancient penitential stations to the sacrament of confession as it is practised now.
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The Muratorian Fragment
A damaged, anonymous Latin list of accepted writings — the earliest of its kind if the traditional dating holds, which is disputed.
Your notes
Sources for this page
- Tier C Fathers of the Second Century The Pastor of Hermas, Vision I translated edition of primary texts Archived here. Source record (opens in a new tab)
- Tier C Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine Eusebius, Church History, Book III, Chapter 25 translated edition of primary texts Source record (opens in a new tab)
- Tier C Athanasius: Select Works and Letters Athanasius, Festal Letter 39 translated edition of primary texts Source record (opens in a new tab)
- Tier C Fathers of the Third Century: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian The Muratorian Fragment translated edition of primary texts Printed in ANF appended to the fragments of Caius; the attribution is not accepted and the fragment is anonymous. Source record (opens in a new tab)
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