We have collected together one hundred documents that are significant to the history of Christianity. These span the period from the time of Nero to the present day. We have chosen these particular documents either (1) because of their historic significance or (2) because they are representative of their historic period.
We have also included representative excerpts from important or representative Christian works through the centuries. Some of these were written by true saints and others by true devils. Most lie somewhere in between.
So the fact that we include a document or spiritual work in this collection, does not mean that we endorse it. At the same time, we’ll let you, the reader, decide which of these documents were good for Christianity, which were bad and which were downright ugly.
Early Christianity
- Tacitus: The Persecution by Nero
- Pliny: Letters about the Christians
- The Didache
- Apostles Creed
- Ignatius: Letters to the Roman Christians
- Letter of Polycarp
- Letter of Diognetus
- Tatian: The Diatessaron
- Diatessaron: Part 2
- Diatessaron: Part 3
- Diatessaron: Part 4
- Tertullian: Apology
- Tertullian: Apology Part 2
- Tertullian: Apology Part 3
- Tertullian: Apology Part 4
- Clement of Alexandria: On the Apostle John
- Origen: Why Christians Don’t Go to War
- Munatorian Canon
- Tertullian: On the Trinity
- Tertullian: On the Trinity Part 2
- Tertullian: On the Trinity Part 3
- Tertullian: On the Trinity Part 4
- Cyprian: On the Unity of the Church
- Spurious Gospel of of Pseudo-Matthew
The Church-State Union & the Age of Councils
Medieval Christianity
- Columbanus: Monastic Rule
- Richard Rolle: Fire of Love
- Thomas a Becket: Letter
- Black Death: A Description
- Anselm: The Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement
- Pope Gregory X: On the Jews
- Statute of Mortmain
- Donation of Constantine: A Forgery
- Crusades: The Pope’s Proclamation
- Inquisition: Synod of Toulouse
- King John’s Concession of England
- Laws Against Heretics
- St. Francis: The Rule
- Thomas Aquinas: Treatment of Heretics
- John Wycliffe: Against Indulgences and Penance
- Wycliffe Bible: An Excerpt
- Lollard Conclusions
- Laws Against the Lollards
- Thomas A Kempis: Imitation of Christ
- Petrarch: Scandal of the Avignon Popes
- Nicholas Clemanges: Fall of the Church
- Lorenzo Valla: Expose of the Donation of Constantine
- Savonarola: On Revelations