Living and witnessing to their faith in the first centuries after the New Testament, the men and women of the early church -- theologians and bishops, ascetics and martyrs -- have exerted a profound influence and authority in the subsequent theological and ecclesial periods and traditions. Yet, what is their significance, authority, and pull for Christians today? Can reverence for them survive critical scrutiny? What can they teach us about the core of Christian scriptures, tradition, and ecclesial life? In this remarkable volume, scholars and theologians from a variety of confessional traditions assess the contributions, failings, and contemporary relevance of the teachers and witnesses of the early church.