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The Library

Forty Centuries of Christian Writing

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.

101–200

The Second Century

2 works

c. 165–180; survives in fragments

Greek

The Oracles of the New Prophecy

Montanus, Priscilla, and Maximilla

About sixteen short sayings quoted by hostile writers. I am the Father and the Son and the Paraclete; man is a lyre and I fly over him like a plectrum; Christ came to Priscilla in the form of a woman and put wisdom into her; after me there will be no prophecy but the end.

Montanist · OraclesJohnActsRevelation1 CorinthiansRead elsewhere

c. 180

Greek

Alexander the False Prophet

Lucian of Samosata · c. 125 – c. 180

An exposure of a working oracle cult in Paphlagonia, built on a tame snake with a linen head. When Alexander wanted a crowd purged before the mysteries he had the herald cry out that any atheist, Christian, or Epicurean present should leave.

Greco-Roman · SatireActs1 Corinthians2 PeterRead elsewhere

201–300

The Third Century

1 work

c. 260–270; survives in fragments

Greek

On the Philosophy from Oracles

Porphyry · c. 234 – c. 305

A collection of oracles presented as evidence for theology, including one in which Hecate declares that Christ was a most pious man whose soul is immortal, and that the Christians err by worshipping him.

Greco-Roman · TreatiseJohnActsRomansRead elsewhere