Writings

The 'Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.' An early Church Order (manual), possibly late 1st century; contemporary with the late NT period.

An apocalyptic vision of a tower. Highly popular; treated as Scripture by some; ultimately not in the NT canon.

An anonymous apology (2nd century, often dated mid–late 2nd) containing a beautiful description of Christians in the world: 'They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners... They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the flesh.'

His only surviving authentic work; a letter on church unity.

To the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and to Polycarp.

Fragments only — Survives only in quotes by later writers like Eusebius and Irenaeus.

His only surviving work.

Defense of Christianity to Emperor Antoninus Pius. Contains one of the earliest descriptions of Christian liturgy/Eucharist.

A shorter defense regarding Christian persecution.

A philosophical debate with a Jewish scholar regarding Jesus as the Messiah.

A massive refutation of Gnosticism.

A handbook of Christian doctrine and proof from prophecy.

An appeal to convert.

A manual on Christian daily living.

A collection of thoughts on faith and philosophy.

His most famous sermon. One of the earliest Christian attempts to answer: 'Can a wealthy person go to heaven?' (His answer: Yes, if they detach their heart from their money).

His most famous defense of Christianity against Rome.

Defending the Old Testament God against the Gnostic Marcion.

Developing the doctrine of the Trinity.

Defending the physical humanity of Jesus.

The earliest surviving treatise on baptism.

Arguably more important than his Apology. Uses a lawyer's argument to say that heretics have no legal right to interpret the Bible because the Bible belongs only to the Church founded by the Apostles.

Cataloging pagan philosophies and Christian heresies.

Traditionally attributed to Hippolytus; authorship debated. Contains early descriptions of the Eucharist, baptism, and ordination.

The earliest orthodox biblical commentary.

The first systematic theology (contains some of his condemned speculations).

A thorough intellectual defense of Christianity.

Massive exegetical works.

A classic treatise on the spiritual life.

Argument against schism.

How to treat Christians who denied the faith under torture.

A major collection dealing with church administration.

The primary history of the early Church.

Biography of the first Christian Emperor.

Apologetics against paganism.

His classic explanation of why God became man.

Defending Jesus' divinity.

Biography of the monk Anthony.

Includes the first list of the 27 New Testament books.

Part 1 of On the Incarnation. Athanasius wrote them as a double-feature. Against the Gentiles tears down paganism; On the Incarnation builds up Christ.

While he fought Arius about Jesus, he fought the 'Pneumatomachians' (Spirit-Fighters) in these letters. This is the definitive ancient defense of the Holy Spirit as God.

Instructions for new converts on the Creed and Sacraments.

Defending the Spirit's divinity.

Sermons on the six days of creation.

Foundation of Eastern monasticism.

Defining the Trinity.

An anthology of Origen's works (compiled with Basil).

Gregory famously ran away when they tried to ordain him a priest. This oration explains why—he was terrified of the responsibility. It became the basis for John Chrysostom's On the Priesthood and Gregory the Great's Pastoral Rule.

Systematic instruction on the faith.

Allegory of the soul's spiritual progress.

Dialogue on death and afterlife.

A guide for pastors.

Famous sermon series on Genesis, Matthew, John, Romans, and Acts.

Catechesis for converts.

Defense of the Incarnation.

Arguments against the separation of Christ's natures.

Theological exegesis.

Clarifying difficult passages in Gregory Nazianzen.

Aphorisms on love and the spiritual life.

Theological explanation of the Liturgy.

The first great summary of Eastern theology.

Defense of Icons.

A philosophical work exploring how we can use names for God (like "Good," "Life," or "Wisdom") while admitting He is beyond all human language. It is the foundation of "Apophatic" (negative) theology—knowing God by what He is not.

A short but dense treatise on the "cloud of unknowing." It teaches that the highest knowledge of God comes through stripping away all intellect and senses to meet Him in silence.

A foundational and highly influential articulation that organized angels into the famous "Nine Choirs" (Seraphim, Cherubim, Archangels, etc.) which remains the standard view in Christianity today.

Defense against Arianism.

History of the theological disputes of his time.

Ethics and duties for ministers.

Instructions on Baptism and Eucharist.

Theological defense.

The twin sister to On the Sacraments. A beautiful, shorter explanation of Baptism and Eucharist often read by new converts.

Latin translation of the Bible.

Biographies of Christian writers.

Defense of celibacy and fasting.

Extensive correspondence on theology and asceticism.

Spiritual autobiography.

A Christian philosophy of history.

His major theological treatise.

Guide to interpreting Scripture.

Arguments against Pelagianism.

If The City of God is too long (1,000+ pages), read this. The only time Augustine summarized his entire theology into a short, pocket-sized handbook.

Written when he was young, this book contains his famous solution to the 'Problem of Evil' (i.e., God is not the author of sin; free will is).

Defined the "Hypostatic Union" (two natures of Christ).

Focus on the feast days and the authority of Peter.

Philosophy of providence and suffering.

Short works on the Trinity and Christology.

The foundation of Western monastic life.

Handbook for bishops and pastors.

Massive commentary on the Book of Job.

Lives of the saints (including St. Benedict).

A vast encyclopedia of universal knowledge.

Summary of theology.

A practical manual for the external life of monks (clothing, rules, food). It famously identifies the "Eight Principal Vices" (Gluttony, Lust, Greed, Anger, Sadness, Sloth, Vainglory, Pride)—the list that Gregory the Great later streamlined into the "Seven Deadly Sins."

A collection of dialogues with the Desert Fathers of Egypt. While The Institutes deals with external behavior, The Conferences deals with the inner battle of the mind and unceasing prayer.

A defense of Christ's divinity written at the request of the future Pope Leo the Great to help defeat the Nestorian heresy.

His primary surviving work. It is a guide for the perplexed believer on how to distinguish truth from new heresies. This is the source of the "Vincentian Canon"—the rule that true doctrine is that which has been believed "everywhere, always, and by all."

Seven letters widely regarded by many scholars as authentic, to his monastic disciples.

The very first written rule for communal living. Unlike the informal advice of earlier hermits, this was a constitution: it dictated work shifts, meal times, clothing standards, and obedience. It became the blueprint for St. Benedict's Rule.

A series of spiritual directives given to the heads of his monasteries, focusing on humility and the practical management of brethren living in close quarters.

Theology in poetic form.

Mystical poetry on the Fall and Redemption.

Commentary on the harmonized Gospels.

The most famous Christmas hymns of the ancient world. Deeply theological poetry about the paradox of the 'Infinite God becoming a tiny Babe.'

Discourses on solitude, prayer, and divine mercy.