Category: Augustine

AugustineLeave a comment

The proper order…

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If, however, any one do not discover the cause of all those things which become objects of investigation, let him reflect that man is infinitely inferior to God; that he has received grace only in part, and is not yet equal or similar to his Maker; and, moreover, that he cannot have experience or form a conception of all things like God; but in the same proportion as he who was formed but to-day, and received the beginning of his creation, is inferior to Him who is uncreated, and who is always the same, in that proportion is he, as … Continue reading The proper order…

Augustine, ProjectLeave a comment

Not even all the water of the sea

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Justin Martyr, a 2nd century Christian apologist, making an argument for Christ in context of a hypothetical like discussion with a non-believing Jew named Trypho! “Chap. xiii.—isaiah teaches that sins are forgiven through christ’s blood. “For Isaiah did not send you to a bath, there to wash away murder and other sins, which not even all the water of the sea were sufficient to purge; but, as might have been expected, this was that saving bath of the olden time which followed those who repented, and who no longer were purified by the blood of goats and of sheep, or … Continue reading Not even all the water of the sea

AugustineLeave a comment

They who are called devils

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A very small portion from a 2nd century AD Christian apologist named Justin who is arguing that Christians should not be persecuted: And, as we said before, the devils put forward Marcion of Pontus, who is even now teaching men to deny that God is the maker of all things in heaven and on earth, and that the Christ predicted by the prophets is His Son, and preaches another god besides the Creator of all, and likewise another son. And this man many have believed, as if he alone knew the truth, and laugh at us, though they have no … Continue reading They who are called devils

Augustine, ProjectLeave a comment

Guardians of gods

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Justin Martyr 2nd Century AD And often out of vessels of dishonour, by merely changing the form, and making an image of the requisite shape, they make what they call a god; which we consider not only senseless, but to be even insulting to God, who, having ineffable glory and form, thus gets His name attached to things that are corruptible, and require constant service. And that the artificers of these are both intemperate, and, not to enter into particulars, are practised in every vice, you very well know; even their own girls who work along with them they corrupt. … Continue reading Guardians of gods

Augustine, SexualityLeave a comment

With mud and mire

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From John Chrysostom in 386ish AD. He seems to be a respected 4th century bishop respected by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestants. Considered to be one of the greatest preachers in Christian history. What little I know about the period in which he preached was during a time that Christianity after 300 years of on and off persecution gains success and some ease of living and support even from the state which never happened before and may explain some of the preaching and concern he had for the church as new temptations arose with this new found freedom. But I am … Continue reading With mud and mire

AugustineLeave a comment

Awestruck…

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“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, … Continue reading Awestruck…

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Why do we gape?

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“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth … Continue reading Why do we gape?