What Scripture says
The apostolic writings were recognized because they came from the apostles and their circle (see 3.1). The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20, ESV). Later teachers, however gifted, build on that foundation; they don’t add to it.
What the evidence says
History
What it contains
The Shepherd of Hermas was written in Rome in the first half of the 2nd century, possibly in stages. Hermas, a former slave, describes revelations given to him by an elderly woman, who represents the church, and by an angel in the form of a shepherd. It has three parts:
- Visions (5): including the church pictured as a tower being built from stones, some fitting and some rejected.
- Mandates (12): commandments about faith, truthfulness, purity, patience and discernment.
- Similitudes (10): parables, such as the elm and the vine, picturing how rich and poor support each other.
Its central theme is repentance, especially whether Christians who sin seriously after baptism can repent. Hermas says yes, but once only, and soon.
Its popularity
The Shepherd was very popular in the early church:
- Irenaeus (c. 180) quoted it with the word “Scripture”.
- Clement of Alexandria and Origen valued it highly.
- Codex Sinaiticus, one of the two oldest complete Bibles (4th century), includes it after the New Testament books, along with the Epistle of Barnabas.
Why it was set aside
The Muratorian Fragment, an early canon list (probably late 2nd century), explains why it didn’t belong with Scripture:
“Hermas wrote the Shepherd very recently, in our times, in the city of Rome, while bishop Pius, his brother, was occupying the chair of the church of the city of Rome. And therefore it ought indeed to be read; but it cannot be read publicly to the people in church either among the prophets, whose number is complete, or among the apostles, for it is after their time.”
So: worth reading, but too late to be apostolic. Eusebius (c. 325) listed it among disputed or spurious books, and Athanasius (367) recommended it as useful for new believers, but outside the canon.
| Witness | View of Hermas |
|---|---|
| Irenaeus (c. 180) | Quoted as Scripture |
| Muratorian Fragment (c. 200) | Read it, but not in church; too recent |
| Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) | Bound after the New Testament |
| Athanasius (367) | Useful reading, not canon |
Where they meet
The Shepherd shows how the early church distinguished between helpful Christian writing and Scripture. Being valued and widely read wasn’t enough; apostolic origin mattered.
What’s still open
Its exact date and composition, and how widely it was read in worship before the canon settled.
Bottom line
The Shepherd of Hermas is popular visionary and moral teaching from the 2nd century, even bound in Codex Sinaiticus. The Muratorian Fragment says it’s fine to read but too recent to count with the prophets and apostles. Leaving it out is rated Settled.