Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers


Book Description

"The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD marked the beginning of a new era in Christianity. For the first time, doctrines were organized into a single creed. The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers did most of their writing during and after this important event in Church history. Unlike the previous era of Christian writing, the Nicene and Post-Nicene era is dominated by a few very important and prolific writers. In Volume I of the 14-volume collected writings of the Nicenes and Post-Nicenes (first published between 1886 and 1889), readers will discover some of the writings of Saint Augustine, recognized as a great religious figure by many Christian sects. He is the patron of the Augustinian monks, who live their lives according to the values found in Augustines writings. In the Confessions, Augustine speaks honestly about his sins as a youth and the saving grace he discovered when he found God. In the Letters, the true personality of Augustine shines through. He is one of the major theological resources of his time, and so through his correspondences, audiences can see what issues plagued the newly unified Christian religion and come to know the man who helped shape Western religion as we know it."




Sacred History


Book Description

Rescued from being a lost book, this history's last manuscript lay deep within the Vatican Archives, this classic historical text is now, for the first time, being published for the modern reader. Sulpicius Severus is best known for his biography of St. Martin of Tours and his Sacred History (also known as the Chronicle.) Sacred History is a brief history of the world from the beginning to his own time and in the latter portions focuses on the Priscillianist heresy that disordered his home province of Aquitaina which is in modern day France, as well as the Arian controversy. Severus prefers a purely historical interpretation of the scriptures in reaction to the gnostic philosophy that entrenched his region that reduced the sacred history to mere allegory. The Sacred History is written in classic style, such as what is found in Tacitus, and is intended to introduce lovers of history to the histories of the Bible.




Exposition of the Christian Faith


Book Description

The author praises Gratian’s zeal for instruction in the Faith, and speaks lowly of his own merits. Taught of God Himself, the Emperor stands in no need of human instruction; yet this his devoutness prepares the way to victory. The task appointed to the author is difficult: in the accomplishment whereof he will be guided not so much by reason and argument as by authority, especially that of the Nicene Council.




Gregory of Nyssa Against Eunomius


Book Description

It seems that the wish to benefit all, and to lavish indiscriminately upon the first comer one’s own gifts, was not a thing altogether commendable, or even free from reproach in the eyes of the many; seeing that the gratuitous waste of many prepared drugs on the incurably-diseased produces no result worth caring about, either in the way of gain to the recipient, or reputation to the would-be benefactor. Rather such an attempt becomes in many cases the occasion of a change for the worse. The hopelessly-diseased and now dying patient receives only a speedier end from the more active medicines; the fierce unreasonable temper is only made worse by the kindness of the lavished pearls, as the Gospel tells us. I think it best, therefore, in accordance with the Divine command, for any one to separate the valuable from the worthless when either have to be given away, and to avoid the pain which a generous giver must receive from one who treads upon his pearl,’ and insults him by his utter want of feeling for its beauty.