Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 4
Tertullian, Minucius Felix, Commodian & Origen
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Chapter XL.
Chapter XL. It is, moreover, in a very unphilosophical spirit that Celsus imagines our Lord's pre-eminence among men to consist, not in the preaching of salvation and in a pure morality, but in acting contrary to the character of that personality which He had taken upon Him, and in not dying, although He had assumed mortality; …
808 wordsSECTION 242Chapter XLIII.
Chapter XLIII. Celsus next addresses to us the following remark: "You will not, I suppose, say of him, that, after failing to gain over those who were in this world, he went to Hades to gain over those who were there." But whether he like it or not, we assert that not only while Jesus was in the body did He win over not a few p…
976 wordsSECTION 243Chapter XLVI.
Chapter XLVI. But how can this Jew of Celsus escape the charge of falsehood, when he says that Jesus, "when on earth, gained over to himself only ten sailors and tax-gatherers of the most worthless character, and not even the whole of these?" Now it is certain that the Jews themselves would admit that He drew over not ten perso…
1,155 wordsSECTION 244Chapter XLIX.
Chapter XLIX. Jesus, accordingly, in turning away the minds of His disciples, not merely from giving heed to sorcerers in general, and those who profess in any other manner to work miracles--for His disciples did not need to be so warned--but from such as gave themselves out as the Christ of God, and who tried by certain appare…
1,130 wordsSECTION 245Chapter LI.
Chapter LI. Celsus, indeed, evinced a slight knowledge of Scripture when he made Jesus say, that it is "a certain Satan who contrives such devices;" although he begs the question [3328] when he asserts that "Jesus did not deny that these works have in them nothing of divinity, but proceed from wicked men," for he makes things w…
1,051 wordsSECTION 246Chapter LIII.
Chapter LIII. All the arguments, indeed, which this Jew of Celsus advances against those who believe on Jesus, may, by parity of reasoning, be urged as ground of accusation against Moses: so that there is no difference in asserting that the sorcery practised by Jesus and that by Moses were similar to each other, [3332] --both o…
880 wordsSECTION 247Chapter LV.
Chapter LV. The Jew continues his address to those of his countrymen who are converts, as follows: "Come now, let us grant to you that the prediction was actually uttered. Yet how many others are there who practise such juggling tricks, in order to deceive their simple hearers, and who make gain by their deception?--as was the …
731 wordsSECTION 248Chapter LVI.
Chapter LVI. But since the Jew says that these histories of the alleged descent of heroes to Hades, and of their return thence, are juggling impositions, [3344] maintaining that these heroes disappeared for a certain time, and secretly withdrew themselves from the sight of all men, and gave themselves out afterwards as having r…
934 wordsSECTION 249Chapter LIX.
Chapter LIX. He imagines also that both the earthquake and the darkness were an invention; [3351] but regarding these, we have in the preceding pages, made our defence, according to our ability, adducing the testimony of Phlegon, who relates that these events took place at the time when our Saviour suffered. [3352] And he goes …
976 wordsSECTION 250Chapter LXII.
Chapter LXII. Now it followed from all the predictions which were uttered regarding Him--amongst which was this prediction of the resurrection--and, from all that was done by Him, and from all the events which befell Him, that this event should be marvellous above all others. For it had been said beforehand by the prophet in th…
743 wordsSECTION 251Chapter LXIV.
Chapter LXIV. Although Jesus was only a single individual, He was nevertheless more things than one, according to the different standpoint from which He might be regarded; [3367] nor was He seen in the same way by all who beheld Him. Now, that He was more things than one, according to the varying point of view, is clear from th…
1,215 wordsSECTION 252Chapter LXVI.
Chapter LXVI. And be not surprised if all the multitudes who have believed on Jesus do not behold His resurrection, when Paul, writing to the Corinthians, can say to them, as being incapable of receiving greater matters, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified;" [3379] which is the…
882 wordsSECTION 253Chapter LXIX.
Chapter LXIX. But we wish to show that His instantaneous bodily disappearance from the cross was not better fitted to serve the purposes of the whole economy of salvation (than His remaining upon it was). For the mere letter and narrative of the events which happened to Jesus do not present the whole view of the truth. For each…
876 wordsSECTION 254Chapter LXX.
Chapter LXX. But how is it that this Jew of Celsus could say that Jesus concealed Himself? For his words regarding Him are these: "And who that is sent as a messenger ever conceals himself when he ought to make known his message?" Now, He did not conceal Himself, who said to those who sought to apprehend Him, "I was daily teach…
829 wordsSECTION 255Chapter LXXII.
Chapter LXXII. After the above statements, he continues: "If he wished to remain hid, why was there heard a voice from heaven proclaiming him to be the Son of God? And if he did not seek to remain concealed, why was he punished? or why did he die?" Now, by such questions he thinks to convict the histories of discrepancy, not ob…
904 wordsSECTION 256Chapter LXXV.
Chapter LXXV. I think what has been stated is enough to convince any one that the unbelief of the Jews with regard to Jesus was in keeping with what is related of this people from the beginning. For I would say in reply to this Jew of Celsus, when he asks, "What God that appeared among men is received with incredulity, and that…
1,431 wordsSECTION 257Chapter LXXVII.
Chapter LXXVII. After this the Jew remarks, manifestly in accordance with the Jewish belief: "We certainly hope that there will be a bodily resurrection, and that we shall enjoy an eternal life; and the example and archetype of this will be He who is sent to us, and who will show that nothing is impossible with God." We do not …
856 wordsSECTION 258Chapter LXXIX.
Chapter LXXIX. The conclusion of all these arguments regarding Jesus is thus stated by the Jew: "He was therefore a man, and of such a nature, as the truth itself proves, and reason demonstrates him to be." I do not know, however, whether a man who had the courage to spread throughout the entire world his doctrine of religious …
897 wordsSECTION 259Chapter II.
Chapter II. But let Celsus, and those who assent to his charges, tell us whether it is at all like "an ass's shadow," that the Jewish prophets should have predicted the birth-place of Him who was to be the ruler of those who had lived righteous lives, and who are called the "heritage" of God; [3440] and that Emmanuel should be …
899 wordsSECTION 260Chapter IV.
Chapter IV. And if the above be the state of the case, how do Jews and Christians search after "the shadow of an ass," in seeking to ascertain from those prophecies which they believe in common, whether He who was foretold has come, or has not yet arrived, and is still an object of expectation? But even suppose [3450] it be gra…
810 wordsSECTION 261Chapter VII.
Chapter VII. In like manner, as the statement is false "that the Hebrews, being (originally) Egyptians, dated the commencement (of their political existence) from the time of their rebellion," so also is this, "that in the days of Jesus others who were Jews rebelled against the Jewish state, and became His followers;" for neith…
747 wordsSECTION 262Chapter IX.
Chapter IX. But since he is manifestly guilty of falsehood in the statements which follow, let us examine his assertion when he says, "If all men wished to become Christians, the latter would not desire such a result." Now that the above statement is false is clear from this, that Christians do not neglect, as far as in them li…
866 wordsSECTION 263Chapter XII.
Chapter XII. In the next place, since he reproaches us with the existence of heresies in Christianity as being a ground of accusation against it, saying that "when Christians had greatly increased in numbers, they were divided and split up into factions, each individual desiring to have his own party;" and further, that "being …
748 wordsSECTION 264Chapter XIV.
Chapter XIV. After this he continues: "Their union is the more wonderful, the more it can be shown to be based on no substantial reason. And yet rebellion is a substantial reason, as well as the advantages which accrue from it, and the fear of external enemies. Such are the causes which give stability to their faith." To this w…
792 wordsSECTION 265Chapter XVII.
Chapter XVII. He wishes, indeed, to compare the articles of our faith to those of the Egyptians; "among whom, as you approach their sacred edifices, are to be seen splendid enclosures, and groves, and large and beautiful gateways, [3480] and wonderful temples, and magnificent tents around them, and ceremonies of worship full of…
711 wordsSECTION 266Chapter XX.
Chapter XX. And we say to those who hold similar opinions to those of Celsus: "Paul then, we are to suppose, had before his mind the idea of no pre-eminent wisdom when he professed to speak wisdom among them that are perfect?" Now, as he spoke with his customary boldness when in making such a profession he said that he was poss…
1,039 wordsSECTION 267Chapter XXIII.
Chapter XXIII. But we, in proving the facts related of our Jesus from the prophetic Scriptures, and comparing afterwards His history with them, demonstrate that no dissoluteness on His part is recorded. For even they who conspired against Him, and who sought false witnesses to aid them, did not find even any plausible grounds f…
1,129 wordsSECTION 268Chapter XXVI.
Chapter XXVI. Let us see what Celsus says next, when he adduces from history marvellous occurrences, which in themselves seem to be incredible, but which are not discredited by him, so far at least as appears from his words. And, in the first place, regarding Aristeas of Proconnesus, of whom he speaks as follows: "Then, with re…
930 wordsSECTION 269Chapter XXVIII.
Chapter XXVIII. For with what purpose in view did Providence accomplish the marvels related of Aristeas? And to confer what benefit upon the human race did such remarkable events, as you regard them, take place? You cannot answer. But we, when we relate the events of the history of Jesus, have no ordinary defence to offer for t…
1,017 wordsSECTION 270Chapter XXX.
Chapter XXX. For the Church [3524] of God, e.g., which is at Athens, is a meek and stable body, as being one which desires to please God, who is over all things; whereas the assembly [3525] of the Athenians is given to sedition, and is not at all to be compared to the Church of God in that city. And you may say the same thing o…
737 wordsSECTION 271Chapter XXXII.
Chapter XXXII. But as Celsus next mentions the case of the Clazomenian, subjoining to the story about him this remark, "Do they not report that his soul frequently quitted his body, and flitted about in an incorporeal form? and yet men did not regard him as a god," we have to answer that probably certain wicked demons contrived…
836 wordsSECTION 272Chapter XXXIV.
Chapter XXXIV. I am, however, of opinion that these individuals are the only instances with which Celsus was acquainted. And yet, that he might appear voluntarily to pass by other similar cases, he says, "And one might name many others of the same kind." Let it be granted, then, that many such persons have existed who conferred…
753 wordsSECTION 273Chapter XXXVI.
Chapter XXXVI. But as he next introduces the case of the favourite of Adrian (I refer to the accounts regarding the youth Antinous, and the honours paid him by the inhabitants of the city of Antinous in Egypt), and imagines that the honour paid to him falls little short of that which we render to Jesus, let us show in what a sp…
1,017 wordsSECTION 274Chapter XXXVIII.
Chapter XXXVIII. The belief, then, in Antinous, [3557] or any other such person, whether among the Egyptians or the Greeks, is, so to speak, unfortunate; while the belief in Jesus would seem to be either a fortunate one, or the result of thorough investigation, having the appearance of the former to the multitude, and of the la…
750 wordsSECTION 275Chapter XL.
Chapter XL. But observe whether the principles of our faith, harmonizing with the general ideas implanted in our minds at birth, do not produce a change upon those who listen candidly to its statements; for although a perverted view of things, with the aid of much instruction to the same effect, has been able to implant in the …
1,022 wordsSECTION 276Chapter XLIII.
Chapter XLIII. He next says of us, that "we ridicule those who worship Jupiter, because his tomb is pointed out in the island of Crete; and yet we worship him who rose from the tomb, [3566] although ignorant of the grounds [3567] on which the Cretans observe such a custom." Observe now that he thus undertakes the defence of the…
833 wordsSECTION 277Chapter XLV.
Chapter XLV. But that the object of Christianity [3571] is that we should become wise, can be proved not only from the ancient Jewish writings, which we also use, but especially from those which were composed after the time of Jesus, and which are believed among the Churches to be divine. Now, in the fiftieth Psalm, David is de…
974 wordsSECTION 278Chapter XLVII.
Chapter XLVII. But it is probable that what is written by Paul in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, [3583] as being addressed to Greeks who prided themselves greatly on their Grecian wisdom, has moved some to believe that it was not the object of the Gospel to win wise men. Now, let him who is of this opinion understand tha…
873 wordsSECTION 279Chapter XLIX.
Chapter XLIX. This statement also is untrue, that it is "only foolish and low individuals, and persons devoid of perception, and slaves, and women, and children, of whom the teachers of the divine word wish to make converts." Such indeed does the Gospel invite, in order to make them better; but it invites also others who are ve…
996 wordsSECTION 280Chapter LII.
Chapter LII. Observe now with regard to the following statement of Celsus, "We see also those persons who in the market-places perform most disreputable tricks, and collect crowds around them," whether a manifest falsehood has not been uttered, and things compared which have no resemblance. He says that these individuals, to wh…
909 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.