The Complete Works of the First Fathers of the Church gathers a formative body of early Christian writing: pastoral epistles, martyrial exhortations, apologies, theological treatises, biblical interpretation, ecclesiastical histories, and visionary instruction. Spanning the generations from the apostolic age to late antiquity, it records Christianity's emergence within Jewish, Greek, and Roman intellectual worlds. Particularly compelling are its defenses of Christian belief before pagan cr...

Ante-Nicene Church Fathers gathers the formative writings of Christianity before the Council of Nicaea into a capacious nine-volume archive of doctrine, pastoral counsel, apology, biblical interpretation, martyrial witness, and ecclesial debate. Its range extends from terse epistles and visionary allegory to philosophical dialogue and sustained theological treatise. Standout texts include early defenses of Christian belief, reflections on apostolic succession, and imaginative accounts of r...

INASMUCH as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, “minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith,” and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove t...

Against Heresies is one of the foundational works of early Christian theology, composed as a systematic refutation of Gnostic teachings, especially those associated with Valentinian speculation. Irenaeus combines careful exposition, polemical argument, scriptural interpretation, and pastoral concern, presenting Christian truth as a coherent "rule of faith" received from the apostles. Its literary style is methodical and juridical, yet often vigorous, reflecting the intellectual and ecclesi...

This book comes complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents, divided by each section. Irenaeus was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire. He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. He was a hearer of Polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of John the Evangelist. Irenaeus' best-known book, Adversus Haereses or Against Heresies (c. 180) is a detailed attack on Gnosticism, which was then...

"Letters from Switzerland" by Samuel Irenaeus Prime is a captivating collection of correspondence that offers a glimpse into the author's experiences and reflections during his travels in Switzerland. Through vivid descriptions and engaging narratives, Prime captures the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and the warmth of the Swiss people. His letters serve not only as travel accounts but also as a means of sharing his thoughts on nature, society, and the human experience, making the book...

"The Alhambra and the Kremlin: The South and the North of Europe" by Samuel Irenaeus Prime is a captivating exploration of two iconic landmarks that symbolize the rich cultural heritage of Europe. The Alhambra, with its intricate Islamic architecture and lush gardens, represents the artistic achievements of the Moors in Spain. In contrast, the Kremlin stands as a testament to Russian history, showcasing its formidable fortifications and grand palaces. Prime's narrative weaves together the ...

In these pages I give you a chapter out of my life... an episode that at first seemed impossible to write even to you. It has lengthened under my hand, as autobiography is likely to do. My apology is that in setting forth absolute truth in which we ourselves are concerned so deeply, the perspectives, and what painters call the values, are not easily maintained. But I hope not to be tedious to the reader for whom, especially, I have laid open as mysterious and profoundly personal an inciden...

The South and the North of Europe are contrasted in this volume. Not by any formal comparison of the morals and manners, the institutions and condition of the peoples in different latitudes, but by candid statement and description, I have sought to give a fair view of life as it is in Spain and Scandinavia. Since the journey was made, the Queen of Spain has fled, and the Emperor of France has perished from among men. But the social life of the nations remains the same from age to age. The ...

Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History tells us that in addition to his great work Against Heresies St Irenæus wrote A Discourse in Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching. This work was entirely lost sight of: no one seems ever to have quoted a word of it. But it has quite recently reappeared in an Armenian manuscript together with Books IV and V of the greater work. The Armenian translation proves to be a fairly close rendering of the original Greek.What Irenæus meant by the Apo...

Imre: A Memorandum (1906) is a novel by Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson. Written while Prime-Stevenson was living as an expatriate in Europe, the novel is an earnest, positive story of romance between two men. Throughout his career, Prime-Stevenson sought to dispel falsehoods surrounding the history of homosexuality, most notably in Imre: A Memorandum and The Intersexes, a full-length study of the subject. Writing under the pseudonym Xavier Mayne, Prime-Stevenson...

The Intersexes: A History of Similisexualism as a Problem in Social Life (1906) is a work of nonfiction by Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson. Written while Prime-Stevenson was living as an expatriate in Europe, The Intersexes is a defense of homosexuality grounded in scientific and historical research. Throughout his career, Prime-Stevenson sought to dispel falsehoods surrounding the history and social acceptance of homosexuality. Writing under the pseudonym Xavier Mayne, P...