{"product_id":"who-were-the-early-church-fathers","title":"Who Were the Early Church Fathers?","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Who What Why | Early Church set publishes November 17, 2026. \u003cbr\u003ePre-order now and your book(s) will ship in November.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers? is an autographed paperback.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWant to purchase the Who What Why Early Church | Biblical Truth series in a bundle? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thinkingkidspress.com\/collections\/books-by-danika-cooley\"\u003eFind them bundled in the books section\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho What Why Series | The Early Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Early Church was an important time in the history of the Christian Church. It was an active time when biblical truth was taught, defended, and set into creeds that were easy to learn and repeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheologians and Bible teachers in Western and Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East wrote about biblical truth. God’s people worked to live out this truth in their day-to-day lives. God used these faithful men to defend important biblical truths that we still teach our children today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeach your kids about the Early Church with fun narrative and important biblical truth through the Who What Why series from Danika Cooley and Christian Focus Publications.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2417\/4169\/files\/The_Early_Church_Biblical_Truth_SM.jpg?v=1788558111\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs the gospel spread, false teachers saw an opportunity to gain followers, money, and power. God loves his people, so into this mess of ideas, he sent men to defend the Christian faith against the mixed-up, lofty opinions that were against the knowledge of God. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2026), page 12\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Early Church Fathers worked to spread the gospel and to defend the Christian faith for around three hundred fifty years. Their legacy began in the later days of Jesus' apostles in the First Century, and extended through Augustine of Hippo's death in 430 AD.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter Jesus ascended to heaven, the church grew as his apostles shared the good news of Jesus Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs time marched onward, new leaders—the Early Church Fathers—helped guide God’s people. When new enemies of the gospel worked to lead people away from Jesus, the Early Church Fathers worked to defend the faith. God used men from Western and Eastern Europe, from the Middle East, and from Africa to fight for the truth in his Word.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn about nine Early Church Fathers who lived from 50 to 430 AD. They all used words to destroy arguments and lofty opinions so their people could take every thought captive to obey Christ.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44661\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Douglas-Bond-Biblical-Truth-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Early Church Set Endorsement | Douglas Bond\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eWho What Why series\u003c\/a\u003e is the perfect way to teach your kids, ages 7-11, about the history of our faith!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Early Church\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Early Church Fathers worked tirelessly to share the good news of Jesus, to guide God's people, and to defend the faith against liars--heretics--who worked to lead people away from following Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake a look at the legacy of each of the Early Church Fathers highlighted in \u003cem\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers?\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIgnatius of Antioch defended the faith against Ebionism and Docetism, and fought for unity in the Church.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolycarp of Smyrnawrote to defend the faith against Docetism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin Martyr wrote and spoke to defend the faith and to win pagans to the gospel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIrenaeus of Lyons wrote in defense of the faith against Gnosticism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTertullian of Carthage wrote in defense of the faith against Marcionism and Modalism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigen of Alexandria defended the faith against Modalism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAthanasius of Alexandria spent his life defending the faith against Arianism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Chrysostom defended the faith against luxury, greed, and idolatry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAugustine of Hippo defended the faith against Manichaeism, Donatism, and Pelagianism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Early Church Fathers faced challenges to the Christian faith that were not much different from the lies and assaults our children will face today. Our kids can be encouraged and inspired by the example of their lives as they defended the faith. They can also understand deep biblical truths, and the reason it is important we fight for the truth of God's Word.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers? \u003c\/em\u003etells the stories of nine men who were dedicated to biblical truth, because they loved and followed their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Linda-Lacour-Hobar-Early-Church-Fathers-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who Were the Early Church Fathers Endorsement | Linda Lacour Hobar\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eThe \u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eWho What Why series\u003c\/a\u003e is fun to read!\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEarly Church Biographies for Kids\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003eVIDEO COMING SOON\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour kids can learn about the lives of the Early Church Fathers, the historical times they lived in, and their work teaching biblical truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a fun and engaging tone, the Christian biography \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e will take your kids through the lives of nine important men who defended the faith in the early centuries of the Christian church. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers? \u003c\/em\u003echapters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter One: Defending the Faith\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Two: Ignatius of Antioch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Three: Polycarp of Smyrna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Four: Justin Martyr\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Five: Irenaeus of Lyons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Six: Tertullian of Carthage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Seven: Origen of Alexandria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Eight: Athanasius of Alexandria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Nine: John Chrysostom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChapter Ten: Augustine of Hippo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTimeline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e \u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44663\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Nathan-Hamilton-Early-Church-Fathers-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who Were the Early Church Fathers Endorsement | Nathan Hamilton\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour kids will learn important history and theology, too!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSome people who defend the faith write truth and expose error. Other defenders use words to debate against ungodly and unbiblical ideas. Some faith-fighters rally Christians to fight heresy and false teaching together. Others fight for the truth of the good news of Jesus in the way they live and--sometimes--in the way they die. Polycarp was one of those people.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2026), page 24\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-44793 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Early-Church-Fathers-Interior-InText.jpg\" alt=\"Who Were the Early Church Fathers | Biography for Kids\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"\u003e Fabulously illustrated by Martyn Smith, the Who What Why series books are each 95 pages long with 8-9 chapters, perfect for your middle grade (ages 8-11) readers. The fun narrative makes each book an engaging family read aloud, but kids will love, too, that they can read the books on their own. \u003cstrong\u003eIn fun sidebars, your kids will also learn about:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe New Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Faith We Defend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003eWho Were the Early Church Fathers?\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a fun way for kids to learn about nine men who worked to explain biblical truth, defend the faith, and grow God's Church through the good news of Jesus Christ.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-44680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Who-What-Why-Series-Ad-Banner-LG6-1024x127.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Banner\" width=\"600\"\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: inherit; background-color: transparent; font-size: 21px; color: #06abf7;\"\u003eChristian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Tauna-Meyer-WWW-Series-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Series Endorsement | Tauna Meyer\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.\" - Psalm 16:3, ESV   \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #88c110;\"\u003eChristian History Matters for Our Kids.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible. \u003cstrong\u003eHere's why: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0; margin-left: 25px; padding: 0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: #15b6f8; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555555; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;\"\u003eGod is the sovereign ruler of all things. It's important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: #15b6f8; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555555; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;\"\u003eChristian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: #15b6f8; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555555; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;\"\u003eUnderstanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: #15b6f8; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555555; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;\"\u003eReading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God's Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: #15b6f8; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555555; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;\"\u003eChristian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others--and on history. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/faSQAEsbWog?si=n-SdfBYgWNUBfln1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-45016\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/WWW-Learn-More-Button-All.jpg\" alt=\"WWW Learn More Button\" width=\"500\" height=\"109\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/who-what-why-series-christian-biographies-for-kids\/\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Nathan-Hamilton-WWW-Series-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Series Endorsement | Nathan Hamilton\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #15b6f8;\"\u003eWho What Why Series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Ku-Khang-WWW-Series-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Series Endorsement | Ku Khang\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\"\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-44658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Abby-Banks-WWW-Series-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Series Endorsement | Abby Banks\" width=\"600\"\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-44657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinkingkidsblog.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Endorsement-Abby-Joy-WWW-Series-SM-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Who What Why Series Endorsement | Abby Joy\" width=\"600\"\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Christian Focus 4 Kids","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42895888810064,"sku":"WWW-Fathers","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2417\/4169\/files\/WhoWeretheEarlyChurchFathersSQ.jpg?v=1788558368","url":"https:\/\/thinkingkidspress.com\/products\/who-were-the-early-church-fathers","provider":"Thinking Kids Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}