Ancient Christian Writers: Ante-Nicene Era Collection (23 vols.)
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Overview
Christianity spread quickly in the second century, and was defined by horrific persecution and rapid theological development. Through letters, treatises, and martyr narratives, postapostolic Christians documented their experience, and this collection comprises the most important documents they produced. It includes the famous apologies of Justin Martyr, the dramatic tale of Polycarp’s martyrdom, and other signififcant texts such as Arnobius of Sicca’s Against the Pagans, and The Octavius of Marcus Minucius Felix.
Please note: The two volumes on Arnobius of Sicca will download as one digital resource.
- Includes the most important early Christian documents
- Presents many works for the first time in English
- Provides multiple volumes from Justin Martyr, Origen, Irenaeus, and Tertullian
- Title: Ancient Christian Writers: Ante-Nicene Era Collection
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Publisher: Paulist Press
- Volumes: 23
- Pages: 6,357
- The Didache: The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistles and the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, The Fragments of Papias, The Epistle to Diognetus edited by Johannes Quasten and Joseph C. Plumpe
- The Epistles of St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius to Antioch edited by Johannes Quasten and Joseph C. Plumpe
- Athenagoras: Embassy for the Christians, the Resurrection of the Dead translated by Joseph Hugh Crehan
- St. Justin Martyr: The First and Second Apologies edited by Leslie William Barnard
- Origen: Homilies 1–14 on Ezekiel translated by Thomas P. Scheck
- Origen: Prayer, Exhortation to Martyrdom translated by John J. O’Meara
- Origen: The Song of Songs, Commentary and Homilies translated by R. P. Lawson
- Origen: Treatise on the Passover and Dialogue with Heraclides translated by Robert J. Daly
- St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies translated by Dominic J. Unger
- St. Irenaeus: Against the Heresies Book 2 translated by Dominic J. Unger
- St. Irenaeus: Against the Heresies Book 3 translated by Matthew C. Steenberg
- The Octavius of Marcus Minucius Felix translated by Graeme Clarke
- Tertullian: The Treatise against Hermogenes translated by Joseph P. Chinnici
- Tertullian: The Treatises on Marriage and Remarriage translated by William P. Saint
- Tertullian: Treatises on Penance: On Penitence and on Purity translated by William P. Saint
- The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage, vol. 1 translated by Graeme Clarke
- The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage, vol. 2 translated by Graeme Clarke
- The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage, vol. 3 translated by Graeme Clarke
- The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage, vol. 4 translated by Graeme Clarke
- St. Cyprian: The Lapsed, The Unity of the Catholic Church translated by Maurice Bévenot
- St. Methodius: The Symposium: A Treatise on Chastity translated by Herbert Musurillo
- Arnobius of Sicca, vol. 1 translated by G. E. McCracken
- Arnobius of Sicca, vol. 2 translated by G. E. McCracken
Partially includedThe Logos editions of these valuable volumes are enhanced by amazing functionality and features. Citations link directly to English translations and original-language texts, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. The Topic Guide lets you perform powerful searches to instantly gather relevant biblical texts and resources. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
The Didache: The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistles and the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, The Fragments of Papias, The Epistle to Diognetus
- Editors: Johannes Quasten and Joseph C. Plumpe
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Publisher: Paulist Press
- Publication Date: 1948
- Pages: 246
This volume contains five early Christian documents, including The Didache, The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistles and the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, The Fragments of Papias, and The Epistle to Diognetus. These early Christian martyr narratives provide historical and theological insight into early Christian doctrine, morality, and apologetics.
This volume contains St. Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians written during the first century, and seven epistles written by St. Ignatius at the beginning of the second century. Six letters were written to churches, including Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. The final letter was written to his friend Polycarp.
Athenagoras lived during the late second century and was one of early Christianity’s remarkable apologists. He supported the apostles’ successors in his writings and defended persecuted Christians, pleading for fair trials on behalf of persecuted Christians before pagan rulers. This volume contains a biography of his life, analysis of his works, as well as Athenagoras’ works Embassy for the Christians and The Ressurection of the Dead.
This volume contains an original English translation of Justin Martyr's First and Second Apology, originally written in Greek. Recognized as a formative influence on the development of Christian theology in the early church, Martyr’s apologies are among the earliest attempts to systematize Christian theology.
Composed in AD 233, Origen’s Prayer combines both a theological treatise on prayer and a unique expression of prayer. Exhortation to Martyrdom, also in this volume, was written to provide solace to Origen's great friend and patron, Ambrose, and the presbyter, Protoctetus, both of whom had been imprisoned. Exhortation to Martyrdom was written in AD 235.
Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, widely regarded as the first great work of Christian mysticism, is characterized by extraordinary intellectual depth and spiritual understanding. The Homilies, also reflecting profound insight, were likely written only a short time after the Commentary.
The Treatise on the Passover was written around AD 245. Its central insight is that the Passover is not a figure or type of the passion of Christ, but a figure of Christ himself. The Dialogue with Heraclides was written between AD 244 and 249. It is the record of an unknown meeting—probably a synod—of bishops called to discuss matters of belief and worship. Both pieces come from the last decade of Origen’s ministry, when he was at the height of his powers.
Against the Heresies establishes Irenaeus as the most important theologian of the second century. It is a detailed and effective refutation of Gnosticism, and a major source of information on the various Gnostic sects and doctrines in early Christianity.
St. Irenaeus: Against the Heresies Book 2
- Author: Irenaeus
- Translator: Dominic J. Unger
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Publisher: Paulist Press
- Publication Date: 2012
- Pages: 208
Against the Heresies establishes Irenaeus as the most important theologian of the second century. Volume 2 is a detailed and effective refutation of the Gnostic heretics the Valentinians and the Marcionites.
St. Irenaeus: Against the Heresies Book 3
- Author: Irenaeus
- Translator: Matthew C. Steenberg
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Publisher: Paulist Press
- Publication Date: 2012
- Pages: 256
Against the Heresies establishes Irenaeus as the most important theologian of the second century. It is a detailed and effective refutation of Gnosticism, and a major source of information on the various Gnostic sects and doctrines in early Christianity.
The Octavius is a defense of Christianity composed in direct imitation of Cicero, the legendary Roman orator. The real author was a practicing Christian and wrote The Octavius in the early third century.
Hermogenes taught a form of materialism and in this treatise Tertullian bluntly refutes him. This text provides an early theological exposition of Christianity on materialism, and is a unique example of early Christianity.
Though not classified among Tertullian's major compositions, this treatise is of considerable historical interest and theological importance for understanding early patristic teaching on the family.
Addressed to early Christians on the subject of repentance and forgiveness, this volume provides a key text on postapostolic practical theology. The second treatise, On Purity is one of Tertullian’s most virulent anti-Montanist treatises.
Written from Roman North Africa, between AD 250 and 258, these early letters were widely copied and circulated among third-century churches. These letters allow readers to enter Cyprian’s social, mental, and spiritual world. The first volume contains letters from the year AD 250.
Written from Roman North Africa, between AD 250 and 258 these early letters were widely copied and circulated. These letters allow readers to enter Cyprian’s social, mental, and spiritual world. The correspondence in this volume covers a period of one year, AD 250–251.
Written from Roman North Africa, between AD 250 and 258 these early letters were widely copied and circulated. These letters allow readers to enter Cyprian’s social, mental, and spiritual world. The letters in this volume cover the period from AD 251 to 254, revealing details of the persecution under Gallus, and the African Council meetings from AD 251 to 253.
The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage, vol. 4
- Author: St. Cyprian
- Translator: Graeme Clarke
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Publisher: Paulist Press
- Publication Date: 1983
- Pages: 452
Written from Roman North Africa, between AD 250 and 258 these early letters were widely copied and circulated. These letters allow readers to enter Cyprian’s social, mental, and spiritual world. The letters in this volume were composed from 254 to 258, when Cyprian was martyred.
These two pastoral addresses of the intensely devout bishop Cyprian reveal the aftermath of the persecution by the Emperor Decius. This is an important document that helps readers understand how the church dealt with persecution, those who failed to resist persecution, and forgiveness.
One of the most remarkable patristic documents now extant, this is the last surviving apology composed before the end of the Roman persecutions.
One of the most remarkable patristic documents now extant, this is the last surviving apology composed before the end of the Roman persecutions.
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