The Library
1577 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
101–200
1 work
c. 190
Greek
Epideixis
Irenaeus of Lyons · c. 130–c. 202
A short positive summary of the faith for a friend named Marcianus — creation, fall, incarnation, and the prophecies fulfilled — written without the polemic that fills Against Heresies.
201–300
1 work
c. 260–270
Greek
Gregory Thaumaturgus · c. 213–c. 270
A short trinitarian confession said to have been given to Gregory in a vision, stating the full equality of the three without the philosophical apparatus of the next century.
301–400
6 works
325; revised 381
Greek
The Council of Nicaea
The confession drawn up by the first ecumenical council, declaring the Son to be of one substance with the Father, and anathematising those who said there was a time when he was not.
c. 335–340; survives in fragments
Greek
Marcellus of Ancyra · c. 285 – c. 374
A defender of Nicaea who defended it too far: the Word was in God from eternity but became Son only at the incarnation, and at the end will be reabsorbed, so that the kingdom of Christ has a term. Eusebius wrote two books against him.
c. 350–355
Greek
De Decretis
Athanasius of Alexandria · c. 296–373
A defence of the council's use of a word not found in scripture, arguing that non-biblical language was needed precisely to protect the biblical sense.
374
Greek
Ancoratus
Epiphanius of Salamis · c. 315 – 403
A letter to Christians in Pamphylia who asked for something to hold on to, written three years before the Panarion and covering the same ground more calmly: the Trinity, the resurrection of this same body, and a warning against Origen's allegory.
381
Greek
The Council of Constantinople
The Nicene confession expanded to state the Spirit's divinity and lordship, and to add clauses on the church, baptism, and the life of the world to come.
c. 388–392; survives complete only in Syriac
Greek, surviving in Syriac
Theodore of Mopsuestia · c. 350 – 428
Sixteen addresses walking candidates through the creed clause by clause, then the Lord's Prayer, then baptism and the eucharist — describing the deacons' movements, the veils over the gifts, and the moment of silence, as a commentary on a rite being performed in front of the hearers.
401–500
3 works
c. 404
Latin
Rufinus of Aquileia · c. 344–411
A clause-by-clause exposition of the baptismal creed of Aquileia, noting where it differs from Rome's and explaining the descent into hell.
c. 421
Latin
Augustine of Hippo · 354–430
A short summary of Christian doctrine for a layman who asked for one, organised around the creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the command to love.
c. 450–550
Latin
Quicunque Vult
Anonymous
A long rhythmic confession of the Trinity and the incarnation, stating each proposition and its converse, and framed by warnings about the necessity of holding the catholic faith.
701–800
1 work
c. 720–730
Latin
Pirmin · d. 753
A short handbook of the faith for missionaries working among recently converted Germanic peoples, running from creation to judgement and listing forbidden pagan customs.
1601–1700
1 work
1647
English
Jeremy Taylor · 1613–1667
An argument that few doctrines are clear enough to justify coercion, that the Apostles' Creed suffices for communion, and that error held honestly is not damnable.
13 of 1577 works