The University of St. Thomas

Finding Writings of the Church Fathers

Church Fathers in English

For beginners, tracing translations of the writings of the early Church Fathers (from ca 100 CE to ca 700) can be challenging.  At any time, if you need more help than this guide provides, contact Jan Malcheski, Theology Reference Librarian at Ireland Library.
 

For web versions of Church Fathers' writing, check the two sites below.  Both rely on the same often out dated 19th century translations. See below about this collection and the need to seek more modern editions if they can be found or are available.
CCEL: http://www.ccel.org/fathers2
New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers 

Finding the Texts

 

Three approaches are outlined below; try them in the order given.  The third method, browsing major sets, is useful if often time-consuming.

 

 

1.  Direct:  Search CLICnet

 
  • TITLE SEARCH:  Many works are known by different titles ? be careful 
  • AUTHOR:  Name forms vary.  Ephrem-Ephraim. John Damascene-John of Damascus, etc.
  • SERIES: Enter major series titles as below, in a title search in CLICnet (not a series search) 
  • KEYWORD:  Broadest search.  Try author's name with title or subject term appended  

 

2.  Indirect: Use Quasten

 

Quasten, J.  Patrology. (4 v.)

Ref BR 67.Q3  (plus circulating sets)

 

Compiled over many years (1950's to 70's) and not easy to use, Quasten is still considered a good finding aid.  Follow steps below.  NOTE: Check CLICnet for new or more recent translations published after Quasten.  

1. Use appropriate Quasten volume (by period)

2. Find works under Father's section

3. Scan description, check entry for translations

3. Set titles are abbreviated. Listed at front of vol.  

 

3.  Browse the major sets

 

Fathers of the Church

BR 60.F3

Ongoing extensive series with good general information accompanying texts.  Over 100 vols. so far.  Shelved at Ireland by author not by volume number.

Quasten abbreviation: FC

 

Ancient Christian Writers

BR 60.A35

Newer translation with some bibliographies.  More than 50 vols. in series -- not yet complete. 

Quasten abbreviation: ACW

 

Ante-Nicene Fathers  (10 v.) and

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers  (28 v.)

Ref BR 60.A5 and BR 60.A52 (plus circulating)

Two sets, the second in two parts, this is a comprehensive collection, widely available on the web.  Texts are dated; use only if no newer version located.  Difficult to search on the Web.

Quasten abbreviation:  ANF & LNPF

 

Richardson, C.  Early Church Fathers

BR 60.R5

Standard selection of 2nd century Fathers.

 

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

Ref BR 60.A52

New series selects early Father's biblical interpretation.  Many vols. planned.  Look up in CLICnet by title with the series names, or browse in Reference. 

 Subject Searches

Often students want to find "what the Fathers said" on a topic.  Exact index searches may sometimes work but be prepared for legwork to explore other options, as below and next page.  

Some exact SUBJECT search forms: 

  • [Topic]--Early church, ca. 30-600.
  • [Topic]--Primitive & early church
  • [Topic]--History of doctrines
  • Fathers of the church
  • Christian literature, early

 

Examples:

 

Lord's Supper--History--Early church, ca. 30-600

Theodicy--History of doctrines--Early church, ca. 30-600.

 

Just as often, though, a CLICnet KEYWORD an ATLA KEYWORD search is more effective.

Examples: 

  • fathers and jesus
  • jerome and criticism
  • preaching and early church 

The major sets (see No. 3) seldom have useful subject entries in the catalog.    

Fathers by Topic 

Encyclopedia of Early Christianity  (2 v.)

Ref BR 162.2.E53

Now also online, select Advanced Search and choose title. Good start on early church, patristics, research backgrounds. 

 

Encyclopedia of the Early Church  (2 v.)

Ref BR 66.5.D5813

Translation of standard Italian original; somewhat more advanced than above.

 

The Early Christian World (2 v.)

Ref BR 165.E17 2000

Background essays on early church context.

 

Augustine Through the Ages

Ref B 655.Z69 A84 1999

Encyclopedia about St. Augustine.

 

The Early Church: An Annotated Bibliography

Ref BR 162.2.R63

A good if dated survey of writings/background.  Provides abundant references.

 

A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs

Ref BR 66.5.D53 1998

Quotes from the earliest Fathers, by topic.

 

Jurgens, W.  Faith of the Early Fathers

Ref BR 63.J87

Classic 3 vol. doctrinal analysis of the Fathers.  Use indexes in back of each volume

. 

Thematic Series 

Sources of Early Christian Thought

Brief representative samples in recent translations.  In CLICnet search as title with series name. 

Examples: 

Marriage in the Early Church

The Trinitarian Controversy

 

Message of the Fathers of the Church

Selects important texts on various themes drawn from older translations.  In CLICnet search as title with series name. 

Examples: 

Women in the Early Church

The Eucharist

 

The Early Church Fathers

A new venture with introductions and selections from works. 

Examples: 

Evagrius Ponticus (2006)

John Chrysostom (2000)

 

Patristic Exegesis

 

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

Ref BR 60.A52

Series of the Fathers? exegesis, not yet complete.

 

Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation

Ref BS 500.D5 1999

Useful for Fathers and interpretive schools for background research.  See also Bible books by title.

 

Trigg. J.  Biblical Interpretation

BS 500.T86

Selected exegeses, in Message of the Fathers series.

Exegesis Search Examples:

 

KEYWORD CLICNET / KEYWORD ATLA:  

    • augustine and bible
    • bonaventure and bible
    • chrysostom and bible
    • fathers and bible
    • early and interpretation and bible 

Note: Medieval scholars compiled Fathers' writings and homilies to make exegesis glosses.  See Thomas' Catena Aurea [BS 2555.A2 T4613 1997].  These glosses can still be helpful.

 

Special Tools 

    • e-Catena: Compiled Allusions to the NT in the Ante-Nicene Fathers. 
      [Early Christian Writings web site]       
    • A Scripture Index to the Works of St. Augustine in English Translation.  James W. Wiles.
      Ref BR65.A9 W55 1995 
    • Saint John Chrysostom: A Scripture Index. R.A. Krupp.
      Ref BR65.C455 K78 1984       
    • Kirchenvaterhomilien zum Neuen Testament. [New Testament Homilies of the Church Fathers]. Hermann Josef Sieben. 
      Ref BS2392.S54 1991       
    • Bibliographia Patristica.  Annual (ceased).
      Z7791.B5.        Multi-lingual bibliography for advanced study. 
    • Biblia Patristica.
      Ref BS 432.B45
      Incomplete but exhaustive index to Biblical allusions.  Cites scholarly editions--try Quasten for translations.


j9m   7/2006