Who is included (or what is the definition of "ecclesiastical writer"?
I would include Origen and Tertullian. Writers who were pivotal in the early church's theological formation, but at the same time could be deemed not in keeping with church doctrine/Orthodoxy. Jimmy Akin clarifies this stating that this is the standard opinion of patristic scholars.
Doing a simple search in the Catholic topical index on anything random lumps both fathers of the church with ecclesiastical writers under the heading Ecclesiastical writers. Perhaps a distinction should be made??
I'm trying to document the default layout to see if Logos is sufficiently bug-free for me to be willing to demonstrate it. Until I know how Logos defined "ecclesiastical writers" I'm not sure what I want. I have a collection for "doctors of the church" and for "apostolic fathers" in addition to the default "church fathers" ... which says something about how I naturally looked at the resources. But then again, I would have mixed the catechisms together.
Interesting question. My first inclination was to look to Jimmy Akin's comments on the subject regarding Origen. Also Tertullian. I don't have it with me, but I'm thinking that his book, "The Fathers Know Best" that is part of the Catholic Answers Library may contain some helpful points. Not sure that he has a comprehensive list but perhaps there is some useful criteria from which to build a set of resources.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
[:)]
