I'm am looking for an accessible reference source for the writings of the early church fathers (pre-Nicene, Nicene, and post-Nicene).
I would prefer the source to be translated into an English idiom that would be easily understood for modern audiences.
Are there recommendations in regards to Alexander Roberts', Phillip Schaff's, and A. Cleveland Coxe's works?
I prefer a reference set that contains most of the early theological disputes. I can go without having every extant writing, as long as I have access to the more influential writings.
Thanks.
The Early Church Fathers, 38 vols, ie. the very large ANF, NPNF series, covers a great deal, but the language is now dated. It is however freely and readily available. No other set is probably as complete as this.
The Fathers of the Church series is an excellent series of modern translations, coming out of CUA, but with a range of translators. They are high quality, and high priced, volumes. I believe there are perhaps somewhere in the order of 127 volumes at present. A print collection would cost you in the order of $5000.
The ECF is still in widespread use, except when people are engaging with a specific text, in which case the FC series is often preferred. Honestly, unless you are a library or millionaire, it's probably better to get used to the ECF language.
There are some other series, such as St. Vladimir Press's Popular Patristics, or some OUP volumes, but I can't recall any other series at the present (though I feel like one is escaping my recollection... if you come up with it, I'll offer some comments)