Clement and the Early Church of Rome, Book Review

I like to take the safe approach to most things in life but there comes a time when nothing else but take the jump will do. This is one of those times!

Given the opportunity to review this particular book, I could not pass it as like most of us interested in the Early Church, there is still so much for me to be learned.
I will say first of all this is an intelligent written compilation of historical facts showing clearly an amazing amount of research. And yes, despite the challenges of reading it and researching these facts, I had a hard time to put it down. The Appendix and the Selected Bibliography alone are a treasure of information!
Reverend Herron's approach to an earlier dating of I Clement Epistle to the Corinthians is nothing but convincing and certainly thought provoking!
Many historians agrees that I Clement was written circa AD 95-96 yet Reverend Herron lists events and dates showing it could well have been written as early as AD 69-70.

Originally printed in 1988 and republished by the St Paul Center for Biblical Theology this book will challenge scholars and laypersons who believe this letter was written after the fall of the temple in the year AD 70.
In fact though the letter was written after the deaths of the Apostles Paul and Peter, the author sets out to prove that Clement was very familiar with the workings of the Temple and writes seemingly in the present tense as he describes rituals such as offerings and sacrifices for i.e.
I would imagine he certainly would not have written this way if the Temple had already been destroyed thus reinforcing the thought, however provoking, that the letter dates prior to AD 70.

Albeit not a scholar and having little knowledge of Theology myself, I find this book to be a fresh approach to what might well remain an excellent conversation topic...What if?...

I give it 4 stars!

I received this book free from The Catholic Company as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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