Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"

Congregationalists do not include the Shepherd of Hermas in the biblical canon. While it is valued as an important piece of early Christian literature reflecting the faith and practices of the 2nd-century Church, the Shepherd is recognized as post-apostolic and thus not binding for doctrine and practice. The Congregational tradition, rooted in Protestant principles and historical-critical biblical scholarship, maintains the 27-book New Testament canon.

The UCC and broader Congregational heritage embrace the Reformation principle of sola scriptura—Scripture alone as the source and norm for Christian faith. While the Shepherd of Hermas offers spiritual wisdom and historical insights into early Christianity, it lacks apostolic authorship and universal ecclesiastical recognition. Congregationalists use historical-critical methods in their study of Scripture and recognize distinctions between apostolic and post-apostolic writings. The Shepherd is preserved in theological and patristic studies but does not carry the authority of the biblical canon in the Church's life and teaching. This stance reflects both Protestant principles and contemporary biblical scholarship.