Augustine 400 ADish Alas for me! I do not even know the extent of my ownignorance. Behold, O my God, in thy presence I do not lie. As my heart is, so I speak.Thou shalt light my candle; thou, O Lord my God, wilt enlighten my darkness. – Augustine “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered … Continue reading I don’t even know

And the proconsul said, “I have beasts, I will throw you to them, unless you repent.” And he said, “Call for them! For repentance is impossible for us from better to worse, but it is good to change from wickedness to righteousness.”  And again he said to him, “I will cause you to be consumed by fire, since you despise the beasts, unless you repent.” But Polycarp replied, you threaten with fire that burns for a while, and after a little time is extinguished. For you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for … Continue reading Bring about what you wish

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” – Psalm 116:15 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” – Hebrews 13:6 “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” – Genesis 15:1 Continue reading My King who saved me

5.2 The Vineyard and the Slave “Listen to the parable which I am about to tell you which relates to fasting.  A certain man had a field and many slaves. And on a certain part of the field he planted a vineyard. And choosing a certain faithful, pleasing, and honored slave, he called him and said to him, ‘Take this vineyard which I planted and fence it until I come, and do not do otherwise to the vineyard. And keep this commandment of mine and you will gain freedom from me.’ And the master of the slave went out on … Continue reading The Vineyard and the Slave

Parable 2 2.1 The Elm Tree and the Vine I was walking in the country and noticed an elm tree and a vine, and was thinking about them and their fruit. The shepherd appeared to me and said, “What are you asking yourself about the elm tree and the vine?” “I am considering,” I said, “sir, that they are well suited to one another.”  “These two trees,” he said, “are given as a type for the servants of God.” “I would like,” I said, “to know the type of these trees of which you speak.” “Do you see,” he said, … Continue reading The Elm Tree and the Vine

“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Jesus Matthew 10:36-39 Continue reading God has authority

Ignatius 100ish AD to Polycarp shortly before being fed to the beasts in the Coliseum for Jesus (King of the ages). THE TIME SEEKS FOR YOU, like shipmasters seek for wind and like storm-tossed sailors seek for harbor, TO REACH TO GOD. Be self-controlled, like God’s athlete. The prize is immortality and eternal life, about which you also have been persuaded. I am your ransom in every respect and also my chains, which you loved. Those who appear to be trustworthy yet teach strange doctrines, do not let them amaze you. Stand firm, like an anvil being struck with a … Continue reading Like God’s athlete

Ignatius 100ish AD shortly before his martydom in the coliseum I believe. Neither the ends of the earth nor the kingdoms of this age will be of benefit to me. It is better for me to die in Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. I seek that one who died on my behalf. I desire that one who rose up on our account. But the pains of childbirth are upon me.  Be in agreement with me, brothers, do not hinder me from living, do not wish me to die. Do hand over not to the … Continue reading Only that I may reach Christ

Ignatius 100ish AD And I say these things, my beloved, not because I have learned that any from you are acting in this way, but as less than you, I desire to protect you, that you not be snagged by the fishhooks of worthless delusion, but to be fully convinced of the birth and the suffering and the resurrection, which took place in the time of the rule of Pontius Pilate. These things were really and truly done by Jesus Christ, our hope, from which may none of you ever turn away. Brannan, Rick, trans. 2012. The Apostolic Fathers in … Continue reading Nothing is better than Him