Library

Here’s an extensive list of public domain books related to theology, focusing on the writings of the Church Fathers and their contributions to various theological disciplines. These works are available online and can typically be accessed for free.

1. The Apostolic Fathers

• ‘The Apostolic Fathers’ (translated by Bart D. Ehrman)

  • Contains writings attributed to the earliest Christian authors after the New Testament period, including the letters of Ignatius and the Shepherd of Hermas.

2. St. Augustine of Hippo

• ‘Confessions’ (translated by Edward P. Mahoney)

  • An autobiographical work that outlines Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity.

• ‘City of God’ (translated by Marcus Dods)

  • A monumental work that defends Christianity against the charge of causing the fall of Rome and discusses the relationship between the earthly city and the City of God.

• ‘On Christian Doctrine’ (translated by D. W. Smith)

  • A guide on how to interpret Scripture and the importance of teaching Christian doctrine.

3. St. John Chrysostom

• ‘Homilies on the Gospel of John’ (translated by E. W. F. Moore)

  • A series of sermons on the Gospel of John, providing insights into early Christian thought.

• ‘On the Priesthood’ (translated by W. R. Clark)

  • A treatise discussing the nature and duties of a priest.

4. St. Gregory of Nazianzus

• ‘Theological Orations’ (translated by C. E. H. M.)

  • A collection of orations addressing key theological issues, including the nature of God and the Trinity.

5. St. Athanasius of Alexandria

• ‘On the Incarnation’ (translated by a member of the English Church)

  • Discusses the significance of the Incarnation of Christ and its implications for humanity.

6. St. Cyril of Alexandria

• ‘Commentary on the Gospel of John’ (translated by J. McGuckin)

  • An important theological work that explores the nature of Christ.

7. Tertullian

• ‘Apology’ (translated by S. Thelwall)

  • A defense of Christianity that argues for its rationality and moral superiority.

• ‘On the Soul’ (translated by A. S. M.)

  • Discusses the nature of the soul from a Christian perspective.

8. St. Jerome

• ‘The Vulgate’ (Latin text of the Bible)

  • The Latin translation of the Bible that became the standard in the Western Christian Church.

• ‘Letters of St. Jerome’ (translated by A. S. M.)

  • A collection of his letters providing insights into early Christian thought and practice.

9. Origen

• ‘On First Principles’ (translated by G. W. Butterworth)

  • A foundational text in Christian theology addressing the nature of God, the world, and salvation.

10. The Nicene Creed

• ‘The Nicene Creed’

  • The formal statement of faith adopted at the First Council of Nicaea.

11. St. Basil the Great

• ‘On the Holy Spirit’ (translated by M. E. L.)

  • A treatise affirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit and its role in the Trinity.

12. Clement of Alexandria

• ‘The Stromata’ (translated by W. Wilson)

  • A philosophical and theological work discussing the relationship between faith and reason.

13. Hippolytus of Rome

• ‘The Refutation of All Heresies’ (translated by A. R. C.)

  • A comprehensive work addressing various heresies in early Christianity.

14. Eusebius of Caesarea

• ‘Ecclesiastical History’ (translated by C. F. Cruse)

  • A foundational work documenting the history of the early Church.

15. Gregory of Nyssa

• ‘The Great Catechism’ (translated by W. A. J.)

  • A catechetical work aimed at instructing the faithful.

16. St. Irenaeus

• ‘Against Heresies’ (translated by A. Roberts and W. H. Rambaut)

  • A defense of the Christian faith against various heresies of the time.

17. The Book of Enoch

• ‘The Book of Enoch’ (translated by R. H. Charles)

  • An ancient Jewish text that influenced early Christian thought, particularly in eschatology.

18. St. Thomas Aquinas

• ‘Summa Theologica’ (translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province)

  • A comprehensive work covering theology, ethics, and philosophy.

19. Martin Luther

• ‘The Bondage of the Will’ (translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston)

  • A key work in Protestant theology addressing free will and divine grace.

20. Sermons of the Early Church Fathers

• ‘Sermons of the Early Church Fathers’

  • A compilation of various sermons by early Church Fathers addressing theological and pastoral issues.

21. St. Maximus the Confessor

• ‘The Mystagogy’ (translated by J. M. D. Meletios)

  • Discusses the sacraments and the theological significance of the liturgy.

22. Basil of Caesarea

• ‘On the Holy Spirit’ (translated by G. L. Prestige)

  • A significant work affirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit and its role within the Trinity.

23. The Didache

• ‘The Didache’ (translated by Charles Thomas Stuntz)

  • An early Christian manual of ethics and church practice.

24. Tertullian

• ‘De Spectaculis’ (translated by R. H. H. Cowper)

  • A treatise against the moral implications of attending spectacles and games in Roman society.

25. St. Jerome

• ‘Against the Pelagians’ (translated by W. H. Fremantle)

  • A work defending the doctrines of grace against Pelagianism.

26. St. Ambrose of Milan

• ‘On the Duties of the Clergy’ (translated by Robert E. Wallis)

  • Discusses the responsibilities and moral conduct expected of clergy.

27. St. Cyprian of Carthage

• ‘The Unity of the Church’ (translated by A. C. T. & L. C. C.)

  • A defense of the unity of the Church against schism.

28. St. Gregory the Great

• ‘The Dialogues’ (translated by O. C. A. & B. C.)

  • A collection of stories and miracles about the lives of saints and the nature of God.

29. Origen

• ‘Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew’ (translated by J. A. Robinson)

  • A critical commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, exploring theological implications.

30. St. Cyril of Jerusalem

• ‘Catechetical Lectures’ (translated by S. M. H.)

  • Lectures intended to instruct catechumens in the basics of the faith.

31. Athanasius of Alexandria

• ‘Letters to Serapion’ (translated by S. E. H.)

  • Letters addressing the nature of the Holy Spirit and the divinity of Christ.

32. The Council of Nicaea

• ‘The Nicene Creed’

  • The original text and historical background of the Creed established at the First Council of Nicaea.

33. St. Irenaeus

• ‘Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching’ (translated by J. Armitage Robinson)

  • An early Christian text outlining key doctrines and the apostolic faith.

34. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

• ‘The Divine Names’ (translated by C. E. H. H.)

  • A work exploring the nature of God and the use of names in describing the divine.

35. St. Thomas Aquinas

• ‘The Treatise on Law’ (from ‘Summa Theologica’)

  • Discusses natural law and its implications for morality and governance.

36. John of Damascus

• ‘Exposition of the Orthodox Faith’ (translated by W. H. Fremantle)

  • A systematic summary of Christian doctrine from an Orthodox perspective.

37. St. Hilary of Poitiers

• ‘On the Trinity’ (translated by S. M. H.)

  • A defense of the doctrine of the Trinity against Arianism.

38. The Rule of St. Benedict

• ‘The Rule of St. Benedict’ (translated by H. W. W.)

  • A foundational text for monastic life and Christian community.

39. Martin Luther

• ‘95 Theses’ (translated by L. B. & R. C.)

  • The famous propositions that sparked the Reformation.

40. St. John of the Cross

• ‘The Ascent of Mount Carmel’ (translated by K. McGarry)

  • A spiritual treatise on the path to mystical union with God.

41. St. Augustine of Hippo

• ‘On the Trinity’ (translated by J. P. Migne)

  • An exploration of the doctrine of the Trinity, addressing philosophical and theological issues.

42. Cyril of Alexandria

• ‘Commentary on the Gospel of Luke’ (translated by R. H. Charles)

  • A theological analysis of the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing Christ’s divine nature.

43. Eusebius of Caesarea

• ‘Preparation for the Gospel’ (translated by E. H. Blakeney)

  • A defense of Christianity that includes a history of the Church and arguments against paganism.

44. St. John Chrysostom

• ‘Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans’ (translated by M. J. K.)

  • A series of sermons discussing key theological themes in Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

45. Origen

• ‘Against Celsus’ (translated by C. J. B. & H. A. D.)

  • A defense of Christianity against the philosophical critiques of Celsus.

46. St. Gregory of Nyssa

• ‘On the Soul and the Resurrection’ (translated by W. W. H.)

  • A treatise discussing the nature of the soul and the resurrection of the dead.

47. Clement of Alexandria

• ‘Exhortation to the Greeks’ (translated by J. P. Migne)

  • An apologetic work aimed at convincing pagans of the truth of Christianity.

48. St. Irenaeus

• ‘Fragment of the Writings of St. Irenaeus’ (translated by W. H. Smith)

  • A collection of writings emphasizing the importance of tradition and apostolic succession.

49. Gregory of Nazianzus

• ‘The Five Theological Orations’ (translated by C. A. G.)

  • A series of speeches discussing various aspects of the Christian faith, including the Trinity.

50. John Calvin

• ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’ (translated by H. Beveridge)

  • A foundational work of Protestant theology that covers various aspects of Christian doctrine.

Conclusion

These ten additional public domain works enrich your library of theological writings from the Church Fathers and significant theologians, offering deeper insights into Christian doctrine, ethics, and the historical context of early Christianity.