In all areas of scientific endeavor, the twentieth-century mind has repeatedly searched for a rule or principle by which the truth or falsehood of a statement may be judged. The first question of the scientist is: ""How do I ""know"" such and such to be the case?"" In theology, too, increasing interest has been focused on the sources of truth; the Christian theologian asks, ""Why should I accept this doctrine or that moral precept? By what authority do I make the claim that Christ is God?"" In this compact volume Dr. Shelley shows how the early church encountered and answered the questions surrounding doctrinal authority. For the sake of the layperson, Dr. Shelley introduces each of the early church Fathers in turn before examining his particular contribution to the emerging pattern of authority. The author has included an appendix, ""The Work of the Holy Spirit,"" as well as a selected bibliography, and indices of names and subjects.