The Library
1780 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
11QMelch
Anonymous
A reading of the jubilee release in Leviticus as the final release at the end of the tenth jubilee, when Melchizedek — a heavenly figure, not a Canaanite king — will proclaim liberty, execute judgement among the gods, and atone for the sons of light.
1–100
1 work
c. AD 40–100
Greek
Anonymous
A philosophical address arguing that devout reason rules the passions, proved at unbearable length from the torture of Eleazar and the seven brothers and their mother, who die one by one rather than eat what the law forbids.
301–400
2 works
c. 318
Greek
De Incarnatione Verbi Dei
Athanasius of Alexandria · c. 296–373
A short, unhurried argument that the Word took a body because a creation running back toward nothing could only be restored from inside it — and that the resurrection is the demonstrable proof, visible in martyrs who no longer fear dying.
c. 385
Greek
Oratio Catechetica Magna
Gregory of Nyssa · c. 335–c. 395
A handbook for teachers rather than converts, arguing the faith differently against Jews, pagans, and heretics, and explaining the incarnation as a ransom that caught the devil like a fish on a hook.
1001–1100
2 works
1094–1098
Latin
Cur Deus Homo
Anselm of Canterbury · 1033–1109
A dialogue asking why the incarnation was necessary, answered in terms of honour and satisfaction: only a human being owes the debt, only God can pay it, so only a God-man can settle it.
c. 1099–1100
Latin
Anselm of Canterbury · 1033–1109
A sequel to Cur Deus Homo asking how Christ could be sinless if he took his humanity from a descendant of Adam, and defining original sin as an absence of owed righteousness.
1101–1200
1 work
c. 1133–1137
Latin
Peter Abelard · 1079–1142
A commentary containing his account of the atonement: that Christ's death works by kindling love in us rather than by paying a price to God or to the devil.
1501–1600
1 work
1578
Latin
Fausto Sozzini · 1539–1604
A denial that Christ's death was a satisfaction for sin, arguing instead that he saves by revealing the way to immortality and by his example and resurrection.
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.
9 of 1780 works