Not by ourselves

On this account, therefore, the Lord Himself, who is Emmanuel from the Virgin, is the sign of our salvation, since it was the Lord Himself who saved them, because they could not be saved by their own instrumentality; and, therefore, when Paul sets forth human infirmity, he says: “For I know that there dwelleth in my flesh no good thing,” showing that the “good thing” of our salvation is not from us, but from God. And again: “Wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Then he introduces the Deliverer, [saying,] “The grace … Continue reading Not by ourselves

Which he imagines himself to have

1. It is therefore better and more profitable to belong to the simple and unlettered class, and by means of love to attain to nearness to God, than, by imagining ourselves learned and skilful, to be found [among those who are] blasphemous against their own God, inasmuch as they conjure up another God as the Father. And for this reason Paul exclaimed, “Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth:”2 not that he meant to inveigh against a true knowledge of God, for in that case he would have accused himself; but, because he knew that some, puffed up by the pretence … Continue reading Which he imagines himself to have

The proper order…

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…

Not even all the water of the sea

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

They who are called devils

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

Guardians of gods

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

With mud and mire

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