Historic writings

Early Church

• Pamphilus · c. 309

  An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles

  According to the common account Pamphilus was a native of Berytus, the modern Beirût, and a member of a distinguished Phœnician family. Leaving Berytus, however, at an early period, he repaired to Alexandria and studied under Pierius, the well-known head of the Catechetical school there.

• Athenagoras the Athenian · c. 177

  A Plea for the Christians

  In placing Athenagoras here, somewhat out of the order usually accepted, I commit no appreciable violence against chronology, and I gain a great advantage for the reader. To some extent we must recognise, in collocation, the principles of affinity and historic growth.

• Tertullian

  Appendix: Against All Heresies

  Of which heretics I will (to pass by a good deal) summarize some few particulars. For of Judaism’s heretics I am silent—Dositheus the Samaritan, I mean, who was the first who had the hardihood to repudiate the prophets, on the ground that they had not spoken under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

• Novatian · c. 210–280

  A Treatise of Novation Concerning the Trinity

  A theological treatise exploring the divine attributes of God the Father, such as immensity, eternity, and unity, within the context of third-century Christian doctrine.

• Tertullian

  A Treatise on the Soul

  Having discussed with Hermogenes the single point of the origin of the soul, so far as his assumption led me, that the soul consisted rather in an adaptation[[cite:1491]] of matter than of the inspiration[[cite:1492]] of God, I now turn to the other questions incidental to the subject; and (in my treatment of these) I shall evidently have mostly to contend with the philosophers. In the very pri...

• Tertullian

  De Fuga in Persecutione

  1. My brother Fabius, you very lately asked, because some news or other were communicated, whether or not we ought to flee in persecution.

• Justin Martyr

  Dialog with Trypho

  While I was going about one morning in the walks of the Xystus,[[cite:1948]] a certain man, with others in his company, having met me, and said, “Hail, O philosopher!” And immediately after saying this, he turned round and walked along with me; his friends likewise followed him. And I in turn having addressed him, said, “What is there important?”

• Gregory Thaumaturgus

  Dubious or Spurious Writings of Gregory Thaumaturgus

  A Sectional Confession of Faith.[[cite:271]]

• Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Barnabas) · c. 100

  Epistle of Barnabas

  The writer of this Epistle is supposed to have been an Alexandrian Jew of the times of Trajan and Hadrian. He was a layman; but possibly he bore the name of “Barnabas,” and so has been confounded with his holy and apostolic name-sire.

• Malchion and the Synod of Antioch · c. 270

  Epistles and other writings of Malchion

  Eusebius[[cite:1388]] speaks of Malchion as a man accomplished in other branches of learning[[cite:1389]] and well-versed in Greek letters in particular, and as holding the presidency of the Sophists’ school at Antioch. Jerome[[cite:1390]] says that he taught rhetoric most successfully in the same city.

• Alexander of Alexandria

  Epistles on the Arian Heresy and the Deposition of Arius

  A collection of Alexander of Alexandria’s epistles concerning the Arian heresy and the deposition of Arius, accompanied by biographical and introductory notices. The writings defend the eternal Godhead and consubstantiality of the Son against Arian teaching.

• Origen

  Epistle to Gregory and Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John

  This volume presents Origen’s Epistle to Gregory alongside selections from his Commentary on the Gospel of John. The introduction discusses Origen’s life, Alexandrian exegesis, allegorical interpretation, biblical scholarship, and textual criticism.

• Polycarp

  Epistle to the Philippians

  [a.d. 65–100–155.] The Epistle of Polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of Ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader.

• Gregory Thaumaturgus

  Exegetical Fragments of Dionysius

  I.—A Commentary on the Beginning of Ecclesiastes.[[cite:930]]

• Clement of Alexandria

  Exhortation to the Heathen

  [a.d. 153–193–217.] The second century of illumination is drawing to a close, as the great name of this Father comes into view, and introduces us to a new stage of the Church’s progress.

• Dionysius of Alexandria · c. 200–265

  Extant Fragments of Dionysius

  A collection of surviving fragments and epistles by Dionysius of Alexandria, a disciple of Origen and bishop of Alexandria. The introductory material recounts his life, episcopal ministry, controversies, persecution, theological writings, and defense of Christian orthodoxy.

• Clement of Rome · c. 30–100

  First Epistle to the Corinthians

  Clement was probably a Gentile and a Roman. He seems to have been at Philippi with St. Paul (a.d.

• Irenaeus of Lyons

  Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus

  I adjure thee, who shalt transcribe this book,[[cite:4797]] by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by His glorious appearing, when He comes to judge the living and the dead, that thou compare what thou hast transcribed, and be careful to set it right according to this copy from which thou hast transcribed; also, that thou in like manner copy down this adjuration, and insert it in the transcript.

• Caius · c. 180–217

  Fragments of Caius

  A collection of fragments and a dialogue attributed to the Roman presbyter Caius, discussing theological issues such as the Montanist heresy and the biblical canon.

• Papias of Hierapolis · c. 70–155

  Fragments of Papias

  It seems unjust to the holy man of whose comparatively large contributions to early Christian literature such mere relics have been preserved, to set them forth in these versions, unaccompanied by the copious annotations of Dr. Routh. If even such crumbs from his table are not by any means without a practical value, with reference to the Canon and other matters, we may well credit the testimony...