Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 4
Tertullian, Minucius Felix, Commodian & Origen
SECTION 121
LXX.--I Speak to the Elder-Born.
LXX.--I Speak to the Elder-Born. The time demands that I alone should speak to you truth. He is often admonished by one word which many refuse. I wish you to turn your hatred against me alone, that the hearts of all may tremble at the tempter. Look to the saying that truly begets hatred, (and consider) how many things I have l…
2,278 wordsSECTION 122The full details of Origen's troubled but glorious career are given by Dr. Crombie, who in my opinion deserves thanks for the kind and apolo
The full details of Origen's troubled but glorious career are given by Dr. Crombie, who in my opinion deserves thanks for the kind and apologetic temper of his estimate of the man and the sublime doctor, as well as of the period of his life. Upon the fervid spirit of a confessor in an age of cruelty, lust, and heathenism, what r…
2,322 wordsSECTION 123Origen occupied too prominent a position in the literary Society of the city to be able to remain with safety, and therefore withdrew to Pal
Origen occupied too prominent a position in the literary Society of the city to be able to remain with safety, and therefore withdrew to Palestine to his friend Bishop Alexander of Jerusalem, and afterwards to Cæsarea, where he received an honourable welcome from Bishop Theoctistus. This step proved the beginning of his after tr…
2,283 wordsSECTION 124Origen was a very voluminous author. Jerome says that he wrote more than any individual could read; and Epiphanius [1897] relates that his w
Origen was a very voluminous author. Jerome says that he wrote more than any individual could read; and Epiphanius [1897] relates that his writings amounted to 6,000 volumes, by which statement we are probably to understand that every individual treatise, large or small, including each of the numerous homilies, was counted as a …
2,315 wordsSECTION 125For further information upon the life and opinions of Origen, the reader may consult Redepenning's Origenes, 2 vols., Bonn, 1841, 1846; the
For further information upon the life and opinions of Origen, the reader may consult Redepenning's Origenes, 2 vols., Bonn, 1841, 1846; the articles in Herzog's Encyclopädie and Wetzer's and Wette's Kirchen-Lexikon, by Kling and Hefele respectively; the brilliant sketch by Pressensé in his Martyrs and Apologists; [1907] and the …
2,639 wordsSECTION 126Preface.
These remarks, therefore, by way of admonition, I have made in the preface, lest slanderous individuals perhaps should think that they had a second time discovered matter of accusation. But let perverse and disputatious men have a care what they are about. For we have in the meantime undertaken this heavy labour, if God should a…
2,267 wordsSECTION 1279. We shall inquire, however, whether the thing which Greek philosophers call asomaton, or "incorporeal," is found in holy Scripture under a
9. We shall inquire, however, whether the thing which Greek philosophers call asomaton, or "incorporeal," is found in holy Scripture under another name. For it is also to be a subject of investigation how God himself is to be understood,--whether as corporeal, and formed according to some shape, or of a different nature from bod…
714 wordsSECTION 128Book I.
Book I. Chapter I.--On God. 1. I know that some will attempt to say that, even according to the declarations of our own Scriptures, God is a body, because in the writings of Moses they find it said, that "our God is a consuming fire;" [1933] and in the Gospel according to John, that "God is a Spirit, and they who worship Him m…
2,450 wordsSECTION 1297. If there are any now who think that the mind itself and the soul is a body, I wish they would tell me by way of answer how it receives re
7. If there are any now who think that the mind itself and the soul is a body, I wish they would tell me by way of answer how it receives reasons and assertions on subjects of such importance--of such difficulty and such subtlety? Whence does it derive the power of memory? and whence comes the contemplation of invisible [1947] t…
1,404 wordsSECTION 130Chapter II.--On Christ.
Chapter II.--On Christ. 1. In the first place, we must note that the nature of that deity which is in Christ in respect of His being the only-begotten Son of God is one thing, and that human nature which He assumed in these last times for the purposes of the dispensation (of grace) is another. And therefore we have first to asc…
2,338 wordsSECTION 1317. But since we quoted the language of Paul regarding Christ, where He says of Him that He is "the brightness of the glory of God, and the e
7. But since we quoted the language of Paul regarding Christ, where He says of Him that He is "the brightness of the glory of God, and the express figure of His person," [1974] let us see what idea we are to form of this. According to John, "God is light." The only-begotten Son, therefore, is the glory of this light, proceeding …
2,415 wordsSECTION 13211. In the third place, wisdom is called the splendour of eternal light. The force of this expression we have explained in the preceding pag
11. In the third place, wisdom is called the splendour of eternal light. The force of this expression we have explained in the preceding pages, when we introduced the similitude of the sun and the splendour of its rays, and showed to the best of our power how this should be understood. To what we then said we shall add only the …
1,267 wordsSECTION 133Chapter III.--On the Holy Spirit.
Chapter III.--On the Holy Spirit. 1. The next point is to investigate as briefly as possible the subject of the Holy Spirit. All who perceive, in whatever manner, the existence of Providence, confess that God, who created and disposed all things, is unbegotten, and recognise Him as the parent of the universe. Now, that to Him b…
2,342 wordsSECTION 1347. But if this is to be understood as spoken of the Spirit of God, since Adam also is found to have prophesied of some things, it may be tak
7. But if this is to be understood as spoken of the Spirit of God, since Adam also is found to have prophesied of some things, it may be taken not as of general application, but as confined to those who are saints. Finally, also, at the time of the flood, when all flesh had corrupted their way before God, it is recorded that God…
1,812 wordsSECTION 135Chapter IV.--On Defection, or Falling Away.
Chapter IV.--On Defection, or Falling Away. 1. To exhibit the nature of defection or falling away, on the part of those who conduct themselves carelessly, it will not appear out of place to employ a similitude by way of illustration. Suppose, then, the case of one who had become gradually acquainted with the art or science, say…
3,199 wordsSECTION 1365. Again, we are taught as follows by the prophet Isaiah regarding another opposing power. The prophet says, "How is Lucifer, who used to ar
5. Again, we are taught as follows by the prophet Isaiah regarding another opposing power. The prophet says, "How is Lucifer, who used to arise in the morning, fallen from heaven! He who assailed all nations is broken and beaten to the ground. Thou indeed saidst in thy heart, I shall ascend into heaven; above the stars of heaven…
878 wordsSECTION 137Chapter VI.--On the End or Consummation.
Chapter VI.--On the End or Consummation. 1. An end or consummation would seem to be an indication of the perfection and completion of things. And this reminds us here, that if there be any one imbued with a desire of reading and understanding subjects of such difficulty and importance, he ought to bring to the effort a perfect …
2,204 wordsSECTION 138Chapter VII.--On Incorporeal and Corporeal Beings.
[2037] Ps. cx. 1. [2038] 1 Cor. xv. 25. [2039] Ps. lxii. 1. [2040] John xvii. 20, 21. [2041] John xvii. 22, 23. [2042] Eph. iv. 13. [2043] 1 Cor. i. 10. [2044] 1 Cor. vii. 31. [2045] Ps. cii. 26. [2046] [The language used by Origen in this and the preceding chapter affords a remarkable illustration of that occasional ex…
2,339 wordsSECTION 139Chapter VIII.--On the Angels.
Let us see now what is the freedom of the creature, or the termination of its bondage. When Christ shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father, then also those living things, when they shall have first been made the kingdom of Christ, shall be delivered, along with the whole of that kingdom, to the rule of the Fat…
2,253 wordsSECTION 140Book II.
[2061] Matt. xviii. 10. [2062] Ps. xxxiv. 7. Tum demun per singulos minimorum, qui sunt in ecclesiâ, qui vel qui adscribi singulis debeant angeli, qui etiam quotidie videant faciem Dei; sed et quis debeat esse angelus, qui circumdet in circuitu timentium Deum. [2063] 1 Cor. xv. 9. [2064] Cf. Rom. ii. 11. [2065] [See Exod. xx…
2,273 wordsSECTION 141Chapter II.--On the Perpetuity of Bodily Nature.
[2067] The words "in aquis" are omitted in Redepenning's edition. [2068] The original of this sentence is found at the close of the Emperor Justinian's Epistle to Menas, patriarch of Constantinople, and, literally translated, is as follows: "The world being so very varied, and containing so many different rational beings, what …
753 wordsSECTION 142Chapter III.--On the Beginning of the World, and Its Causes.
Chapter III.--On the Beginning of the World, and Its Causes. 1. The next subject of inquiry is, whether there was any other world before the one which now exists; and if so, whether it was such as the present, or somewhat different, or inferior; or whether there was no world at all, but something like that which we understand w…
2,441 wordsSECTION 1436. Having discussed these points regarding the nature of the world to the best of our ability, it does not seem out of place to inquire what
6. Having discussed these points regarding the nature of the world to the best of our ability, it does not seem out of place to inquire what is the meaning of the term world, which in holy Scripture is shown frequently to have different significations. For what we call in Latin mundus, is termed in Greek kosmos, and kosmos signi…
2,200 wordsSECTION 144Chapter IV.--The God of the Law and the Prophets, and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the Same God.
[2094] Isa. lxvi. 2. [2095] This passage is found in Jerome's Epistle to Avitus, and, literally translated, is as follows: "A threefold suspicion, therefore, is suggested to us regarding the end, of which the reader may examine which is the true and better one. For we shall either live without a body, when, being subject to Chr…
2,379 wordsSECTION 145Chapter V.--On Justice and Goodness.
4. And now, if, on account of those expressions which occur in the Old Testament, as when God is said to be angry or to repent, or when any other human affection or passion is described, (our opponents) think that they are furnished with grounds for refuting us, who maintain that God is altogether impassible, and is to be regard…
2,375 wordsSECTION 146We shall add the following remarks, to which we are driven by their subtleties. If justice is a different thing from goodness, then, since e
We shall add the following remarks, to which we are driven by their subtleties. If justice is a different thing from goodness, then, since evil is the opposite of good, and injustice of justice, injustice will doubtless be something else than an evil; and as, in your opinion, the just man is not good, so neither will the unjust …
1,180 wordsSECTION 147Chapter VI.--On the Incarnation of Christ.
Chapter VI.--On the Incarnation of Christ. 1. It is now time, after this cursory notice of these points, to resume our investigation of the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, viz., how or why He became man. Having therefore, to the best of our feeble ability, considered His divine nature from the contemplation of His own work…
2,611 wordsSECTION 1487. I think, indeed, that Jeremiah the prophet, also, understanding what was the nature of the wisdom of God in him, which was the same also
7. I think, indeed, that Jeremiah the prophet, also, understanding what was the nature of the wisdom of God in him, which was the same also which he had assumed for the salvation of the world, said, "The breath of our countenance is Christ the Lord, to whom we said, that under His shadow we shall live among the nations." [2163] …
774 wordsSECTION 149Chapter VII.--On the Holy Spirit.
Chapter VII.--On the Holy Spirit. 1. As, then, after those first discussions which, according to the requirements of the case, we held at the beginning regarding the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, it seemed right that we should retrace our steps, and show that the same God was the creator and founder of the world, and the Father…
1,648 wordsSECTION 150Chapter VIII.--On the Soul (Anima).
Chapter VIII.--On the Soul (Anima). 1. The order of our arrangement now requires us, after the discussion of the preceding subjects, to institute a general inquiry regarding the soul; [2180] and, beginning with points of inferior importance, to ascend to those that are of greater. Now, that there are souls [2181] in all living …
2,205 wordsSECTION 1514. Now, if this be the case, it seems to me that this very decay and falling away of the understanding is not the same in all, but that this
4. Now, if this be the case, it seems to me that this very decay and falling away of the understanding is not the same in all, but that this conversion into a soul is carried to a greater or less degree in different instances, and that certain understandings retain something even of their former vigour, and others again either n…
1,382 wordsSECTION 152Chapter IX.--On the World and the Movements of Rational Creatures, Whether Good or Bad; And on the Causes of Them.
Chapter IX.--On the World and the Movements of Rational Creatures, Whether Good or Bad; And on the Causes of Them. 1. But let us now return to the order of our proposed discussion, and behold the commencement of creation, so far as the understanding can behold the beginning of the creation of God. In that commencement, [2224] t…
2,516 wordsSECTION 1537. But even holy Scripture does not appear to me to be altogether silent on the nature of this secret, as when the Apostle Paul, in discussi
7. But even holy Scripture does not appear to me to be altogether silent on the nature of this secret, as when the Apostle Paul, in discussing the case of Jacob and Esau, says: "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but …
1,334 wordsSECTION 154Chapter X.--On the Resurrection, and the Judgment, the Fire of Hell, and Punishments.
Chapter X.--On the Resurrection, and the Judgment, the Fire of Hell, and Punishments. 1. But since the discourse has reminded us of the subjects of a future judgment and of retribution, and of the punishments of sinners, according to the threatenings of holy Scripture and the contents of the Church's teaching--viz., that when t…
2,236 wordsSECTION 1556. There are also many other things which escape our notice, and are known to Him alone who is the physician of our souls. For if, on accoun
6. There are also many other things which escape our notice, and are known to Him alone who is the physician of our souls. For if, on account of those bad effects which we bring upon ourselves by eating and drinking, we deem it necessary for the health of the body to make use of some unpleasant and painful drug, sometimes even, …
1,188 wordsSECTION 156Chapter XI.--On Counter Promises. [2252]
Chapter XI.--On Counter Promises. [2252] 1. Let us now briefly see what views we are to form regarding promises. It is certain that there is no living thing which can be altogether inactive and immoveable, but delights in motion of every kind, and in perpetual activity and volition; and this nature, I think it evident, is in al…
2,442 wordsSECTION 1576. We are therefore to suppose that the saints will remain there until they recognise the twofold mode of government in those things which a
6. We are therefore to suppose that the saints will remain there until they recognise the twofold mode of government in those things which are performed in the air. And when I say "twofold mode," I mean this: When we were upon earth, we saw either animals or trees, and beheld the differences among them, and also the very great d…
1,107 wordsSECTION 158Book III.
Book III. Preface of Rufinus. Reader, remember me in your prayers, that we too may deserve to be made emulators of the spirit. The two former books on The Principles I translated not only at your instance, but even under pressure from you during the days of Lent; [2270] but as you, my devout brother Macarius, were not only liv…
2,254 wordsSECTION 1596. And now, to confirm the deductions of reason by the authority of Scripture--viz., that it is our own doing whether we live rightly or not
6. And now, to confirm the deductions of reason by the authority of Scripture--viz., that it is our own doing whether we live rightly or not, and that we are not compelled, either by those causes which come to us from without, or, as some think, by the presence of fate--we adduce the testimony of the prophet Micah, in these word…
2,812 wordsSECTION 16011. But, to establish the point more clearly, it will not be superfluous to employ another illustration, as if, e.g., one were to say that i
11. But, to establish the point more clearly, it will not be superfluous to employ another illustration, as if, e.g., one were to say that it is the sun which hardens and liquefies, although liquefying and hardening are things of an opposite nature. Now it is not incorrect to say that the sun, by one and the same power of its he…
2,563 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.