Variousearly Christian writers[broken anchor] wrotegospels and other books, some of which were canonized as theNew Testament canon developed. TheApostolic Fathers were prominent writers who are traditionally understood to have met and learned fromJesus's personaldisciples. TheChurch Fathers are later writers with no direct connection to the disciples (other than the claim toapostolic succession).Early Christian apologists tried to defend Christianity againstits critics, especially theAncient Greek andRoman philosophers. Dates given, if not otherwise specified, are of their writings orbishopric, not of their lives.
- Paul of Tarsus, "Apostle to the Gentiles", earliest New Testament author 45~65
- Four Evangelists, traditionally identified as the authors of thecanonical gospels 60~125
- Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, apostolic father 68~107
- Marcion of Sinope, evangelist and theologian, founder ofMarcionism, published the first knowncanon of the New Testament,[1] 85~160
- Clement of Rome, bishop of Rome, apostolic father 88~101
- Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, apostolic father 110~130
- Polycarp of Smyrna, bishop of Smyrna, apostolic father 110~160
- Aristides of Athens, apologist ~120
- Justin Martyr, church father ~165
- Melito of Sardis, bishop of Sardis, ~180
- Irenaeus,bishop of Lyon, disciple of Polycarp, apologist 180~202
- Origen of Alexandria, 185~254,Neoplatonist, controversial during his lifetime, posthumously condemned at theSecond Council of Constantinople in 553
- Tatian, pupil of Justin Martyr, ascetic theologian ~185
- Athenagoras of Athens, philosopher, apologist ~190
- Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus, excommunicated byVictor I of Rome over theEaster controversy ~196
- Montanus, self-proclaimed prophet and founder ofMontanism, last quarter of 2nd century CE
- Tertullian, church father, apologist, first Christian writer in Latin, later a Montanist 197~230
- Hippolytus, church father, sometimes termed the firstAntipope, reconciled with the church and died a martyr 217~236
- Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, martyr 218~258
- Clement of Alexandria, church father, Bishop of Alexandria ~220
- Novatian, a rigorist and Antipope in 251
- Dionysius, patriarch of Alexandria, pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church 248~264
- Paul of Samosata, bishop of Antioch,adoptionist, condemned at 269Council of Antioch
- Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 297~373, patriarch of Alexandria, defender of theTrinitarian doctrine
- Donatus Magnus, bishop of Carthage, (+355), leader of theDonatists from 313
- Lactantius, apologist ~317
- Arnobius, apologist ~330
- Eusebius, wroteHistory of the Church ~325
- Augustine of Hippo, 354-430, Latin church father, wroteConfessions andCity of God
