The following list was compiled for our 2021 Patristics Reading Group. Each month features a new theologian. We pray that it will continue to be a helpful resource for those interested in surveying the church fathers.
Works with a single asterisk (*) were “required” reading for each month (i.e., they were the focus of discussion in the monthly Zoom meetings). Works with two asterisks were highly recommended. Other primary and secondary resources are included for further study.
Where to Read the Fathers
Free Resources
While the translations may not be the most accurate or easiest to read, most of the works on this list are available for free at newadvent.org/fathers or ccel.org/fathers. At ccel.org, you can create an account to save your highlights and notes on the text. Both of these sources use the text from The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection, which is also available on Kindle for only $2.99.
Popular Patristics Series (SVS Press)
When available, we strongly recommend reading the translations in the SVS Press Popular Patristics Series. “The Popular Patristics series aims to provide readable and accurate translations of a broad range of early Christian literature to a wide audience—from students of Christian history and theology to lay Christians reading for spiritual benefit. Recognized Patristic scholars provide short but comprehensive and clear introductory essays according to their specializations for each volume.”
Introductory & Companion Guides
On Retrieval Theology
- Gavin Ortlund, Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019). 224 pages. $22.
On the Fathers
- [Podcast] Passages. This beautiful podcast project by Mere Orthodoxy, hosted by Joshua Heavin and Caleb Wait, is “an in-depth examination of the Nicene Creed built around close readings of early Christian texts and interviews with several scholars and theologians.” Many of the fathers and texts in this reading list are discussed in the series.
- [Audiobook] David Meconi, Patristics: Explore the Timeless Wisdom of the Church Fathers (2018). $7. Free with a Scribd membership. While these lectures have a strong Roman Catholic bias, they provide valuable insights into the fathers and quote heavily from the fathers’ own writings.
- Bryan M. Litfin, Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016), Second Edition. 290 pages. $18. Free with a Scribd membership.
- Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), The Fathers of the Church: From Clement of Rome to Augustine of Hippo (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009). 189 pages. $17.
- Boniface Ramsey, Beginning to Read the Church Fathers (New York / Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2012), Revised Edition. 320 pages. $19.
History
- Eusebius: The Church History (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007), edited by Paul L. Maier. 368 pages. $15.
- Everett Ferguson, Church History, Volume One: From Christ to the Pre-Reformation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), Second Edition. See especially Chs. 3–14. $25. Free with a Scribd membership.
Timelines
The following PDF timelines provide a visual overview of the patristic era. Most of the “required” works on the reading list are included in the timelines. Note that many of the dates are uncertain or debated.
Reading Scripture with the Fathers
- CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible. As you survey the church fathers, considering reading through the Bible in a year using this Study Bible. It contains study notes from the church fathers, short biographies of all of the fathers in this reading list (also available at www.christianitytoday.com/history), and lengthier excerpts from the fathers on key topics (e.g., Athanasius on “The Canon of Scripture” or Augustine on “Creation Out of Nothing”). As you read the fathers and come across valuable insights into a passage of Scripture, consider using the margins of the Ancient Faith Bible to record references that are not already in the footnotes. This will help you become familiar with how to cite the fathers.
- Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (ACCS). This commentary series, edited by Thomas Oden, has over 11,000 pages of collated comments from the church fathers. $25 per volume (e.g., Old Testament VII: Psalms 1–50). $450 for all 29 volumes.
- Christopher A. Hall, Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1998). 223 pages. $17.
Preface — The Apostolic Fathers
A short study of the apostolic fathers will provide a bridge from the New Testament to the writings of Irenaeus, our January Theologian of the Month.
- **The Apostolic Fathers: A New Translation by Rick Brannan.
- [Video/Podcast] Scott Harrower, “Scott Harrower on the Apostolic Fathers,” Holy Joys.
January — Irenaeus of Lyons (130–202)
“Irenaeus was the second-century bishop of Lyons in Gaul. He was one of the foremost early Christian theologians, and his most famous work is Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies). He defended the orthodoxy of Christian doctrine, especially against such threats as Gnosticism.” (LBD)
- *On the Apostolic Preaching
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series (SVS Press). 121 pages. $25.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **Against Heresies (Books III–V)
- Paperback: Ex Fontibus Co. 347 pages. $22.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- Against Heresies (Books I–II)
- See above.
- See also Irenaeus on the Christian Faith: A Condensation of Against Heresies (Pickwick Publications, 2011), edited by James. R. Payton Jr. 234 pages. $28.
- Secondary resources:
- [Video/Podcast] Brian Shelton, “Irenaeus,” Holy Joys. Dr. Shelton wrote the chapter on Irenaeus in Shapers of Christian Orthodoxy (IVP, 2010). He spoke to our Ad Fontes group on February 4, 2021.
- John Behr, Irenaeus of Lyons: Identifying Christianity, Christian Theology in Context (Oxford University Press). 248 pages. $32.
- Eric Osborn, Irenaeus of Lyons (Cambridge University Press, 2008). 328 pages. $45.
- Denis Minns, Irenaeus: An Introduction (T&T Clark, 2010). 192 pages. $36.
- [Video] John Behr, “Synchronic and Diachronic Harmony: Saint Irenaeus On Divine Simplicity.” Behr provides valuable insight into the way Irenaeus and the premodern church reads Scripture.
- [Podcast] “Irenaeus,” Beeson Divinity School Podcast. Timothy George interviews patristics scholar Jeffrey Bingham about the life and theology of Irenaeus.
- [Podcast] Matthew Emerson and Brandon Smith, “Theology Classics: Irenaeus of Lyon,” Center for Baptist Renewal.
- [Article] A. Poncelet, “St. Irenaeus,” The Catholic Encyclopedia (New York: Robert Appleton Company). Retrieved September 15, 2020 from New Advent.
- [Article] Simonetta Carr, “Irenaeus of Lyon: Passionate Apologist to the Gnostics,” Christianity Today.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
February — Tertullian (155–240)
“Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus was a prolific North African writer of apologetic, theological, controversial, and ascetic works. The first great writer of Latin Christianity, he is credited with introducing the term ‘trinitas’ in relation to God. At some point during his career, he joined the apocalyptic Montanist sect (around ad 207), which other early church fathers opposed as heretical, causing his works to be viewed as pre-Montanist (and thus legitimately the work of a church father) and post Montanism (and thus viewed very skeptically).” (LBD)
- *Against Praxeas
- Paperback: Aeterna Press, pp. 5–58 (54 pages). $13. This volume includes Against Praxeas and numerous apologetic and practical treatises.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- *Apology
- Paperback: Aeterna Press, pp. 81–143 (63 pages).
- **On Baptism
- Paperback: Aeterna Press, pp. 249–278 (30 pages).
- **On Prayer
- Paperback: Aeterna Press, pp. 278–298 (21 pages).
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. $19. This volume includes treatises on the Lord’s Prayer from Tertullian, Cyprian, and Origen.
- Secondary resources:
- [Video/Podcast] Chris Bounds, “Tertullian,” Holy Joys. Dr. Bounds spoke to our Ad Fontes group on February 26, 2021.
- [Article] Kyle R. Hughes, “Tertullian: A Critical Biography.”
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 3.” Joshua Heavin and Caleb Wait are joined by Michael Horton and Fred Sanders. They discuss Tertullian.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
March — Origen of Alexandria (185–254)
“Origen was a prolific and influential figure of the early church who was known for his approach to interpreting Scripture. He also compiled the Hexapla, an important work for Old Testament textual criticism.” (LBD)
- *On First Principles
- Paperback: Oxford University Press. 448 pages. $34. Translated by John Behr. For this work, we do not recommend the translation in the Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection.
- **On Prayer
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. $19. This volume includes treatises on the Lord’s Prayer from Tertullian, Cyprian, and Origen.
- Secondary resources:
- [Video] Jonathan Morgan, “Origen,” Holy Joys. Dr. Morgan spoke to our Ad Fontes group on April 1, 2021.
- [Podcast] John Behr, “Origen and the Early Church, Pt. 1,” OnScript.
- [Podcast] John Behr, “Origen and the Early Church, Pt. 2,” OnScript.
- [Article] “Origen: Biblical Scholar and Philosopher,” Christianity Today.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
April — Athanasius of Alexandria (295–373)
“Athanasius of Alexandria was a theologian, the bishop of Alexandria, and an influential leader in Egypt during the fourth century. He is most notable for resisting Arianism and for proclaiming the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as for being the first to use the word ‘canon’ to refer to the New Testament (as we currently know it) in his festal letter of ad 367.” (LBD)
- *On the Incarnation
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 110 pages. $17.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **Against the Heathen
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- Secondary resources:
- [Article] “Athanasius: Five-time exile for fighting ‘orthodoxy‘,” Christianity Today.
- [Podcast] Brandon Smith and Luke Stamps, “Theology Classics: Athanasius of Alexandria,” Center for Baptist Renewal.
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 4.” This episode of Passages (a podcast on the story of the Nicene Creed) discusses the life and work of Athanasius.
- Peter Leithart, Athanasius (Baker Academic, 2011). 222 pages. $28.
- [Video] Doctors of the Church: St. Athanasius of Alexandria.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
May — Hilary of Poitiers (315–367)
“Bishop of Poitiers and called the ‘Athanasius of the West’ because of his defense (against the Arians) of the common nature of Father and Son.” (ACCS)
- *On the Trinity
- Paperback: The Catholic University of America Press. 555 pages. $45.
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- **Homilies on the Psalms
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- Secondary resources:
- Fred Sanders, “Hilary of Poitiers,” Holy Joys. Dr. Sanders spoke to our Ad Fontes group on May 25, 2021.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
June — Basil of Caesarea (330–379)
“Often called Basil the Great and distinguished as one of the three Cappadocian fathers who helped to define orthodoxy at the Council of Constantinople in 381, Basil lived as a hermit monk before being called out of seclusion in 364 to confront a resurgent form of Arianism. Six years later, Basil followed Eusebius as the bishop of Caesarea. Basil wrote a major work on the Holy Spirit. He was renowned for his administrative abilities and his gift for organization.” (Pocket Dictionary of Church History)
- *On the Holy Spirit
- Paperback: Popular Patristic Series. 128 pages. $17.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **Selected Moral Homilies
- Paperback: Popular Patristic Series (published as On Christian Doctrine and Practice). 324 pages. $20.
- The Hexaemeron (Nine Homilies on the Six Days of Creation)
- Paperback: The Catholic University of America (included in Exegetic Homilies volume). $45.
- Secondary resources:
- Matthew Emerson, “Meet the Cappadocian Fathers,” Center for Baptist Renewal.
- Marvin Jones, Basil of Caesarea: His Life and Impact (Christian Focus).
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 8.” This episode of Passages (a podcast on the story of the Nicene Creed) introduces Basil the Great. See also Chapter 9 for more on Basil.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
July — Gregory of Nyssa (330–395)
“The younger brother of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa was one of the three influential Cappadocian fathers who helped to define orthodoxy at the Council of Canstantinople (381). Gregory rose in the church from monk to ordained priest and was consecrated bishop of Nyssa in 371. Renowned for his preaching and exegetical writings, Gregory produced numerous doctrinal treatises, including works on the virtues and blessings of virginity, the Trinity and the Holy Spirit.” (Pocket Dictionary of Church History)
- *Catechetical Discourse.
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 171 pages. $25.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **On the Soul and the Resurrection.
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 126 pages. $16.
- Secondary resources:
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 10.” This episode of Passages (a podcast on the story of the Nicene Creed) introduces Gregory of Nyssa and his older sister Macrina the Younger.
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 11.” This episode explores Gregory of Nyssa’s work “On the Soul and the Resurrection,” a Socratic dialogue set just after the death of his brother Basil of Caesarea, where Gregory learns from his teacher—his older sister, St. Macrina the Younger.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
August — Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390)
“One of the great preachers of the fourth-century church, Gregory was numbered among the three great Cappadocian fathers who spoke and wrote with such power at the Council of Constantinople in attacking Arianism. After studies in Athens, where he met and befriended Basil, Gregory became a monk, but was called out of seclusion to be ordained in 362 and a decade later was consecrated bishop. His most important writings are Five Theological Orations, one of which is a key work on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.” (Pocket Dictionary of Church History)
- *Five Theological Orations (Orations 27–31)
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 175 pages. $17.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- *Letter To Cledonius the Priest Against Apollinarius. (Epistle 101)
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- **Festal Orations
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 194 pages. $17.
- Secondary resources:
- John McGuckin, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (SVS Press, 2011). 436 pages.
- [Podcast] Matthew Emerson and Brandon Smith, “Theology Classics: Gregory of Nazianzus,” Center for Baptist Renewal.
- [Podcast] “Passages – Chapter 6.” This episode of Passages (a podcast on the story of the Nicene Creed) introduces Gregory of Nazianzus and his Theological Orations on the Son. See also Chapter 7.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
September — Jerome (345–420)
“A church father and biblical scholar who produced numerous commentaries and homilies on Scripture, historical treatises, theological essays, a vast correspondence, and other miscellaneous works. He is most noted for his translation of the Bible into Latin, later known as the Vulgate.” (LBD)
- *Selected Letters
- Hardcover: Loeb Classical Library. 528 pages. $28.
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- Secondary resources:
- [Article] “Jerome: Bible Translator Whose Version Lasted a Millennium,” Christianity Today.
- [Article] Johnathan Arnold, “Practical Advice for Pastors in Jerome’s Letter 52,” Holy Joys.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
October — John Chrysostom (349–407)
“John Chrysostom was the archbishop of Constantinople. Being the most prolific of all the Eastern fathers, he fought against the ecclesiastical and political leaders for their abuse of authority. He was called Chrysostom (meaning ‘golden-mouthed’) for his eloquent sermons.” (LBD)
- *Paschal Homily
- Digital: oca.org. Free. We recommend reading this short sermon each year for Easter.
- *On Wealth and Poverty
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 140 pages. $16.
- **Homilies on the Gospel of St. John
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- **On the Priesthood
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. 160 pages. $17.
- Secondary resources:
- Gerald Bray, Preaching the Word with John Chrysostom (Lexham Press, 2020). 120 pages. $10. Free with a Scribd membership.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
- For more resources, see “John Chrysostom: Recommended Resources,” Christianity Today.
November — Augustine (354–430)
“Clearly one of the dominant figures of Latin (Western) theology, Augustine rose in the church to become the bishop of Hippo in North Africa, and through his written works had a profound impact upon the development of theology in the medieval and Reformation eras. His early days, and especially his spiritual pilgrimage, were delineated in the autobiographical work Confessions. Born in Tagaste, near Carthage, to a pagan father and a devout Christian mother, Monica, Augustine lost his faith in his teens as he sought fame as a teacher of rhetoric. This began a search for truth in various philosophical systems, finally leading to *Manichaeism. Along the way he had taken a mistress and fathered a son, Adeodatus. Lured to Italy by the prospect of fame, Augustine taught in Rome and Milan. The sermons of *Ambrose, bishop of Milan, led to his conversion in 386. Augustine’s return to Africa began a rapid rise to prominence in the church. As bishop, Augustine’s intellectual gifts and rhetorical skills were put in service to the church in dealing with the Donatist and Pelagian controversies and in writing key works, including The City of God (a treatise on church and state), On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine (a primer on the interpretation of Scripture) and many commentaries on books of the Bible.” (Pocket Dictionary of Church History)
- *On Christian Teaching
- Paperback: Oxford University Press. 168 pages. $13.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- *A Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- **Confessions
- Paperback: Oxford World Classics. 311 pages. $8.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **The City of God (especially Books 14 & 19)
- Paperback: Cambridge University Press, 1278 pages. $42.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- **Enchiridion
- Digital: newadvent.org. Free.
- On the Trinity
- Paperback: New City Press. 470 pages. $31.
- Digital: ccel.org. Free.
- Secondary resources:
- Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia (Eerdmans Pub Co., 1999), edited by Allan Fitzgerald. 902 pages.
- The Cambridge Companion to Augustine (Cambridge University Press, 2014), edited by David Meconi and Eleonore Stump. 404 pages.
- Philip Cary, Inner Grace: Augustine in the Traditions of Plato and Paul (Oxford University Press, 2008). An introduction to Augustine’s doctrine of grace and the development of his thought.
- [Article] Chris Bounds, “Augustine’s Teaching on the Apostles’ Creed (Part 1),” Holy Joys. See also Part 2. Dr. Bounds organizes select passages from Augustine’s “On Faith and the Creed” and “A Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed.”
- [Podcast] Luke Stamps and Winston Hottman, “Theology Classics: Augustine of Hippo,” Center for Baptist Renewal.
- [Article] David Fry, “When in Rome: Augustine’s Rule and Its Application Today,” Holy Joys. This article engages with Augustine’s Letters 54 and 55 to Januarius on the role of tradition in the life of a Christian.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.
- For more recommended resources, see “Augustine & the Battle for Orthodoxy: Recommended Resources,” Christianity Today.
December — Cyril of Alexandria (376–444)
“Consecrated bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, in 412, Cyril is known for his love of and success in theological conflict. Standing in the tradition of Athanasius and the Cappadocian fathers as a champion of orthodoxy, Cyril was the driving force behind the ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431), where he opposed Nestorianism. He actually assumed control of the council before the delegation supporting Nestor arrived and led the assembled bishops in condemning Nestorianism and its author.” (Pocket Dictionary of Church History)
- *On the Unity of Christ
- Paperback: Popular Patristics Series. $17.
- Digital: Kindle. $1.
- Audiobook/Podcast: That Christ is One. Free.
- Secondary resources:
- John McGuckin, Saint Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy (SVS Press, 2010). 428 pages.
- See the relevant sections in the introductory and companion guides above.