Beginning to Read the Fathers

the long version

Excellent read for Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. Patristic studies can easily degrade into "I have more church father quotes than you do" arguments. Fr. Ramsey has done a fine job of maintaining an irenic tone. The material is presented in a thematic style that gives a good overview of patristic thought on a given subject. For Protestant readers who are starting out in this subject I would recommend "Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction" By: Bryan Litfin. That book will give a good introduction to the topic. The Ramsey book will then go beyond that a bit.