What is the Shepherd of Hermas and should it be in the Bible?

Answer

“The Shepherd of Hermas” was a religious literary work from the second and third centuries and was highly regarded by many early Christians. Some early church fathers, like Irenaeus, even considered “The Shepherd of Hermas” as canonical Scripture while the New Testament was being established. Essentially, it was written to urge repentance and a commitment to a strict moral life.

The author of “The Shepherd of Hermas” is unknown. However, several ancient sources attribute the work to Hermas, who was believed to be the brother of Pius I, the Bishop of Rome from 140 to 155. In the narrative, Hermas recounts his life and the cultivation of Christian virtues as he shares his experiences as a freed Christian slave. Throughout the text, Hermas presents himself as a humble individual striving to be devout and diligent in all his endeavors. The primary focus of the book is ethical rather than theological. It is structured into three main parts: the first section describes five visions, the second section outlines 12 mandates, and the final section consists of ten parables, also known as similitudes.

The narrative follows Hermas, who becomes a slave to a woman named Rhoda. After she grants Hermas his freedom, their paths cross once more. Hermas experiences a vision where Rhoda appears, seeking his forgiveness for thinking impure thoughts about her. In this vision, an elderly woman assists him by advising him to repent and rectify the sins of his people. In another vision, Hermas encounters an angel of repentance who takes the form of a shepherd and imparts certain laws and mandates that play a crucial role in shaping early Christian ethics. These mandates are revealed in visions as the shepherd-like angel provides his guidance.

“The Shepherd of Hermas” is also noteworthy for its visions, which offer insights into various aspects of Christian life and morality.Definitely seem to subscribe to a premillennial understanding of the end times. Some scholars even see hints of pretribulationism in the “Shepherd of Hermas.” The presence of premillennial thought in a Christian work from the second or third century lends support to premillennial theologians’ arguments against the notion that amillennialism was the universally accepted belief in the early church.

But why isn’t “The Shepherd of Hermas” in the Bible? Was it not considered an “inspired book”? Is it regarded as a “lost book” of the Bible? We must first recognize that many biblical scholars acknowledge the existence of spurious writings that have never been seriously considered for inclusion in the Bible. Examples include “The Assumption of Moses” and “The Book of Enoch.” However, Bible scholars agree that they are not inspired writings. The “Shepherd of Hermas” was deemed authoritative by some, so it lingered around the canon for some time before it was, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rejected.