What are the differences, pros and cons for Ancient Christian Texts Collection VS Ancient Christian Commentary?
As far as I know the difference is mostly that with one you will get the entire ancient commentary, while with the ACC you will get small paragraphs or sentences that the editors decided were the most relevant for any given passage. I have the ACC and unfortunately I’m rather disappointed with it. Having said that though - I don’t have the ACT. So I can’t speak to it or it’s usefulness.
The Fathers covers a vast number of figures who wrote in many different areas and times. So obviously there are lots of writings from them. Much more than most of us can ever read.
ACC deals with this by trying to collect from this vast library various comments on Scripture and arrange it as a commentary for us to use. In the fact that we share Scripture with them, this is great. But any collection like this shows just as much about the editors as it does about the fathers, who in reality squabble with each other just like we do today.
ACTC instead translates full writings from various figures, letting us hear their voices. There are some important works here, but more than a part of me thinks it would be better to start with some volumes of Classics of Western Spirituality instead of this.
But all of this depends on what would be most useful for you.
... the fathers, who in reality squabble with each other just like we do today.
"Severian, bishop of Gabala in Syria, who early on was a friend of John Chrysostom, later turned against him and opposed him at the Synod of Oak in 403. Though displaying his own strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, Severian still represents the so-called Antiochene school with its preference for literal over allegorical interpretation of texts."
They took their squabbling quite seriously (smiling) ... and Severian had it right, of course.
I can try to explain what I want. I have the ACC series and was definitely disappointed with its brevity, conformity and shortness with tidbits of commentary interspersed. I want to see different commentators from the history of the Church. I have the Church's Bible.
Start by seeing what you have by running the Commentary Guide section on the book of John displayed by era. For example:
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