Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"

Biblical Unitarians affirm that the Shepherd of Hermas, an early second-century Christian visionary text, is not part of the biblical canon despite its historical value. While some early church fathers like Irenaeus regarded it highly, and it was copied alongside canonical texts in some manuscripts (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus), the early church councils excluded it from the canon. The text itself was eventually lost and only rediscovered in the 19th century.

The Shepherd of Hermas is an important witness to early Christian practice, ethics, and theology, but lacks the apostolic authorship and authoritative status required for canonical Scripture. Biblical Unitarians note that the text contains visions and allegories that reflect late-first or early-second-century community concerns, not the authoritative witness of the apostles. While it may be read profitably for spiritual insight and historical understanding, it does not carry the same weight as the canonical New Testament in establishing Christian doctrine. The exclusion of Hermas from the canon reflects the early church's careful discernment about which writings possessed apostolic authority.