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'''"Church Fathers"''' is a loosely-defined term which is used to refer to early [[Christian]] [[theologians]] whose writings<ref>http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html</ref> and teachings are considered by some to be authoritative in defining and defending Christian [[theology]] and practices. Much reverence is given to them in the [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] traditions, while [[Protestant]] sects tend to not place as much reverence on them in favor of [[sola scriptura]] (the [[Bible]] as the final authority).  Generally those in the [[evangelical]] camp will consider them at some level of authority but not the final one, while [[fundamentalist]] camps tend to ignore them altogether due to their opinion that Catholicism is false teaching.

'''"Church Fathers"''' is a loosely-defined term which is used to refer to early [[Christian]] [[theologians]] whose writings<ref>http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html</ref> and teachings are considered by some to be authoritative in defining and defending Christian [[theology]] and practices. Much reverence is given to them in the [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] traditions, while [[Protestant]] sects tend to not place as much reverence on them in favor of [[sola scriptura]] (the [[Bible]] as the final authority).  Generally those in the [[evangelical]] camp will consider them at some level of authority but not the final one, while [[fundamentalist]] camps tend to ignore them altogether due to their opinion that Catholicism is false teaching.

While there are fathers as late as the 8th century, church fathers are often divided into "Ante-Nicene"(prior to the [[Council of Nicaea]], 325 A.D.) and "Post-Nicene" (after the council) categories,<ref>https://www.ccel.org/fathers</ref> with the former often considered particularly important (though many later fathers are highly revered as well). Even more revered among them are the ''Apostolic fathers'', fathers of the 1st and 2nd centuries who are believed to have personally known some of the [[apostles]].

The term "Church Fathers" includes [[Christian]] leaders as late as the 8th century, a span of nearly 800 years. They are often divided into "Ante-Nicene"(prior to the [[Council of Nicaea]], 325 A.D.) and "Post-Nicene" (after the council) categories,<ref>https://www.ccel.org/fathers</ref> with the former often considered particularly important (though many later fathers are highly revered as well). Even more revered among them are the ''Apostolic fathers'', fathers of the 1st and 2nd centuries who are believed to have personally known some of the [[apostles]].

The writings of the fathers are often used as a reference point for determining what is considered [[orthodox]], with authoritative documents like the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] making heavy use of their writings.

The writings of the fathers are often used as a reference point for determining what is considered [[orthodox]], with authoritative documents like the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] making heavy use of their writings.