The Library
1774 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.
100–1 BC
1 work
c. 100 BC
Hebrew
Hodayot, 1QH
Anonymous
Some thirty psalms in the first person, each opening with thanks. The speaker is a creature of clay kneaded with water, a foundation of shame and a source of pollution, who has nonetheless been given knowledge of mysteries — and who describes himself in one hymn as a woman in labour bringing forth a wonderful counsellor.
301–400
1 work
396
Latin
Ad Simplicianum
Augustine of Hippo · 354 – 430
Ambrose's old mentor sent two questions about Romans. Working on Jacob and Esau, loved and hated before either was born, Augustine gives up the position he had held for ten years — that God foresees who will believe and elects accordingly — and concludes instead that the will to believe is itself God's gift.
401–500
1 work
428–429
Latin
Augustine of Hippo · 354–430
A late work written for monks in Gaul, arguing that even the beginning of faith is God's gift and not a human contribution that God then rewards.
1001–1100
1 work
1059
Latin
Pope Nicholas II · d. 1061
A ruling that the cardinal bishops shall choose the pope, with the rest of the clergy and people assenting afterwards and the emperor's role reduced to a courtesy.
1601–1700
1 work
1647
English
John Owen · 1616–1683
A sustained argument for particular redemption: that Christ died to secure the salvation of a definite people rather than to make salvation merely possible.
5 of 1774 works