Subject
Catholic Church -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800 Books
Best books
Blaise Pascal
Pascal's Pensées
**Pascal's Pensées** by Blaise Pascal is a collection of fragments written in the 17th century. Left incomplete at Pascal's death in 1662, these notes were intended as a defense of Christianity. The work introduces "Pascal's wager" and challenges both cosmological proofs of God and atheist critiques of faith. Pascal argues that God is hidden and found only through sincere seeking. Published posthumously in 1670, the fragments' intended order remains debated, inspiring numerous editions and influencing thinkers from Heidegger to Sartre.
à Kempis Thomas
The Imitation of Christ
"The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book composed between 1418-1427. Divided into four books of spiritual instruction, this medieval text guides readers toward interior spiritual life and withdrawal from worldly concerns. Emphasizing devotion to the Eucharist and practices from the Devotio Moderna movement, it offers detailed counsels on living a contemplative Christian life. After the Bible, it became the most widely read devotional work in Christianity, with over 745 editions printed before 1650.
Aquinas Thomas
Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province
"Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae)" by Saint Aquinas Thomas is a theological work written in the 13th century. This section forms part of Thomas Aquinas's masterwork presenting Catholic theology through systematic reasoning. It examines morality in particular detail, exploring individual virtues and vices through 189 questions and 917 articles. Drawing from Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and classical sources, Aquinas employs a distinctive format of objections, counter-arguments, and replies to investigate ethical questions. This portion remains foundational for theological and philosophical study across Christian traditions.
Aquinas Thomas
Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) From the Complete American Edition
"Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae)" by Saint Thomas Aquinas is a theological work written between 1265-1274. This section presents the general principles of morality, including a comprehensive theory of law. Designed as an instructional guide for beginning theology students, it employs a distinctive question-and-answer format featuring objections, counter-arguments, and systematic replies. Drawing from Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and classical sources, this unfinished masterpiece addresses fundamental questions about human purpose, virtue, and divine guidance through rigorous philosophical reasoning.
Blaise Pascal
The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal
"The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal" by Blaise Pascal is a collection of fragments published in 1670. Left incomplete at Pascal's death in 1662, these draft notes were intended as a defense of Christianity. The work challenges both religious and atheistic arguments, introducing concepts like Pascal's famous wager. Pascal argues that God remains hidden and can only be found through sincere seeking, not rational proof alone. The fragments blend philosophy, theology, and psychology into what became one of Christianity's most influential apologetic works, though the Catholic Church later banned it.
Aquinas Thomas
Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition
"Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars)" by Saint Thomas Aquinas is a theological work written in the 13th century. This section focuses on Christ as humanity's path to God and the sacraments, though Aquinas left it incomplete. Using his distinctive question-and-answer method, he presents Christian doctrine through careful reasoning, addressing objections and citing sources from biblical, philosophical, and patristic traditions. This unfinished masterwork remains essential reading for Catholic theology students and continues influencing Western religious thought centuries later.
Aquinas Thomas
Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition
"Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars)" by Saint Thomas Aquinas is a theological work written in the 13th century. This monumental compendium presents the main theological teachings of the Catholic Church, designed as an instructional guide for beginning theology students. Through a structured question-and-answer format, Aquinas explores fundamental topics including the existence and nature of God, Creation, angels, and humanity. Drawing from Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and ancient philosophical sources, this unfinished masterpiece systematically builds arguments for Christian theology, establishing itself as one of history's most influential philosophical and theological texts.
à Kempis Thomas
L'imitation de Jésus-Christ Traduction nouvelle avec des réflexions à la fin de chaque chapitre
"L'imitation de Jésus-Christ" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book written in Medieval Latin around 1418–1427. Divided into four books of spiritual instructions, it emphasizes the interior life and withdrawal from worldly concerns, with devotion to the Eucharist at its core. Emerging from the Devotio Moderna movement, this anonymous work became immediately popular after its composition. Perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional text after the Bible, it has been translated into more languages than any book except Scripture and printed in over 745 editions before 1650.
à Kempis Thomas
The Following of Christ, in Four Books Translated from the Original Latin of Thomas a Kempis
"The Following of Christ, in Four Books" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional work composed between 1418-1427. Written anonymously in Medieval Latin within the Devotio Moderna movement, this spiritual handbook guides readers through interior life and withdrawal from worldly concerns. Divided into four books of detailed instructions, it emphasizes devotion to the Eucharist and provides counsels for spiritual living. After the Bible, it became perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional text, with over 745 editions printed before 1650 and translations into numerous languages.
Blaise Pascal
Pascal gondolatai
"Pascal gondolatai" by Blaise Pascal is a collection of fragments written in the 17th century. Left incomplete at Pascal's death in 1662, these notes were intended as a defense of Christianity. The work presents Pascal's skepticism of traditional proofs for God's existence and argues that faith requires seeking with the heart, not just reason. It includes the famous "Pascal's wager" and challenges both atheist arguments and shallow religious thinking. First published in 1670, the fragments' intended order remains debated, influencing philosophers from Heidegger to Sartre.
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