First in English

Classic Christian works,
in English for the first time.

Some of the most important works of Christian thought have never been available in English. They sit in Latin manuscripts, French sermon transcripts, German treatises - read by scholars, missed by everyone else. The works on this page are appearing in English for the first time on Christian Reader.

Want to see the work-in-progress? The Translation Lab shows our draft AI-assisted translations paired with the original language, with honest quality grades.

Cover of Biblical Theology, Book I: On Theology in General

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book I: On Theology in General

by John Owen

The opening book of Owen's monumental Theologoumena Pantodapa (1661), here in its first English translation. Owen investigates the nature and origin of theology itself — why the term exists, why it resists classification as a human science, and how divine truth is transmitted through covenant. He traces natural theology from its pure state in Adam through its corruption by sin, demolishing Scholastic pretensions and Socinian minimalism alike. A rigorous, erudite foundation…

9 chapters · 61,440 words
Start reading →
Cover of Biblical Theology, Book II: On Adamic Theology Before the Flood

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book II: On Adamic Theology Before the Flood

by John Owen

The first literal English translation of Book II of John Owen's Theologoumena Pantodapa (1661), covering the period from Adam's fall to the Flood. Owen traces the restoration of covenant theology after the entrance of sin, the institution and early corruption of the Adamic church, and the progressive apostasy of the antediluvian world. A landmark work of Reformed scholastic divinity by the preeminent Puritan theologian — now available in English for the first time. Essenti…

4 chapters · 12,512 words
Start reading →
Cover of Biblical Theology, Book III: On Noahic Theology After the Flood

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book III: On Noahic Theology After the Flood

by John Owen

The third book of Owen's monumental Biblical Theology traces the restoration of divine worship after the flood. Owen expounds the Noahic covenant (Genesis 9), the rainbow sign, and the seven Noachide precepts, then investigates the confusion of languages at Babel and the ancient origins of the Hebrew tongue. The book's latter half charts the rise and progress of idolatry from the post-flood dispersion through the deification of heroes and natural forces. Throughout, Owen m…

14 chapters · 60,397 words
Start reading →
Cover of Biblical Theology, Book IV: On Abrahamic and Mosaic Theology

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book IV: On Abrahamic and Mosaic Theology

by John Owen

Traces the history of divine revelation through two pivotal epochs: the Abrahamic covenant — God's separation of a new church through Abraham's calling, circumcision, and the covenant of grace — and the Mosaic legislation at Sinai, the culmination of revealed theology through mere men. Owen examines Abraham's pre-conversion entanglement in Chaldean idolatry, the enlargement of Noachic theology, and includes an extensive digression on the origin of ancient Hebrew letters. A…

4 chapters · 30,606 words
Start reading →
Cover of Biblical Theology, Book V: On the Corruption and Restoration of Mosaic Theology

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book V: On the Corruption and Restoration of Mosaic Theology

by John Owen

Book V of Owen's Theologoumena Pantodapa (1661), tracing the corruption and partial restoration of Mosaic theology within Israel's history. Owen catalogs Israel's idolatry with exhaustive scholarly precision — surveying the foreign gods (Baal, Molech, Ashtaroth, the calves of Jeroboam), the biblical terminology for idols, and the superstitious rites borrowed from surrounding nations. He then treats the Ezraitic Reformation, the Great Synagogue, and the divine origin of Heb…

15 chapters · 53,731 words
Start reading →
Cover of Biblical Theology, Book VI: On Evangelical Theology

First English translation · originally in Latin

Biblical Theology, Book VI: On Evangelical Theology

by John Owen

The culminating volume of Owen's monumental Biblical Theology, this treatise examines evangelical theology as a living spiritual gift rather than mere academic learning. Owen argues that Christ himself is the author of this theology, that only the regenerate can truly receive it, and that mixing scholastic philosophy with gospel truth has been the church's gravest error. Chapters trace the fullness of time at Christ's coming, the nature of spiritual wisdom versus Christian…

8 chapters · 41,038 words
Start reading →
Cover of Sermons on 1 Samuel

First English translation · originally in Latin

Sermons on 1 Samuel

by John Calvin

One hundred and seven sermons preached by Calvin late in his ministry, walking verse by verse through the entire book of 1 Samuel. Calvin draws out the providence of God in the rise and fall of Israel's first king, the discipline and grace shown to Hannah, Samuel, Saul, and David, and the dangers of pride, presumption, and hidden sin. Rich in pastoral application, these sermons press the history of Israel into the conscience of every believer, calling the church to trust G…

108 chapters · 663,701 words · Modern English available
Start reading →

More on the way

More first-English titles will land here as I finish them. If there's a specific work you'd like to see in modern English, usually a Latin or French treatise from the Reformation or Patristic era, tell me. I read every request.

Take it with you.

Premium audiobooks, offline reading, and progress sync, all in the app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play