Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"

Hutterites do not accept the Shepherd of Hermas as part of the biblical canon. While it is a valuable early Christian text that offers insights into 2nd-century church practice, it lacks the apostolic authority and canonical status of the 66 books of Scripture. The work was sometimes cited in the early church but was eventually excluded from the canon as the church clarified which books possessed apostolic foundation and divine authority.

The Hutterite tradition, like mainstream Protestantism, reserves the title 'Scripture' or 'God's Word' for the 66-book canon. Other early Christian writings, including Hermas, may be studied for historical and theological value but do not carry the binding authority of canonical Scripture.