Quick Facts
- Key People:
- Erasmus
- Adolf von Harnack
- St. Maximus the Confessor
- Related Topics:
- Apologist
- Apostolic Father
- Post-Nicene Father
- Cappadocian Father
- Ante-Nicene Father
- On the Web:
- Jewish Virtual Library - Church Father (Oct. 25, 2026)
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Church Father
Christianity
Also known as: Father of the Church
Church Father, any of the great bishops and other eminent Christian teachers of the early centuries whose writings remained as a court of appeal for their successors, especially in reference to controverted points of faith or practice. See patristic literature.

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