Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 4
Augustine — Against the Manichaeans and Donatists
SECTION 81
Book I.
Book I. Who Faustus was. Faustus's object in writing the polemical treatise that forms the basis of Augustin's reply. Augustin's remarks thereon. 1. Faustus was an African by race, a citizen of Mileum; he was eloquent and clever, but had adopted the shocking tenets of the Manichæan heresy. He is mentioned in my Confessions, [2…
2,326 wordsSECTION 82We, too, deny the influence of the stars upon the birth of any man; for we maintain that, by the just law of God, the free-will of man, whic
We, too, deny the influence of the stars upon the birth of any man; for we maintain that, by the just law of God, the free-will of man, which chooses good or evil, is under no constraint of necessity. How much less do we subject to any constellation the incarnation of the eternal Creator and Lord of all! When Christ was born aft…
780 wordsSECTION 83Book III.
Book III. Faustus objects to the incarnation of God on the ground that the evangelists are at variance with each other, and that incarnation is unsuitable to deity. Augustin attempts to remove the critical and theological difficulties. 1. Faustus said: Do I believe in the incarnation? For my part, this is the very thing I long…
1,988 wordsSECTION 84Book IV.
Book IV. Faustus's reasons for rejecting the Old Testament, and Augustin's animadversions thereon. 1. Faustus said: Do I believe the Old Testament? If it bequeaths anything to me, I believe it; if not, I reject it. It would be an excess of forwardness to take the documents of others which pronounce me disinherited. Remember th…
915 wordsSECTION 85Book V.
Book V. Faustus claims that the Manichæans and not the Catholics are consistent believers in the Gospel, and seeks to establish this claim by comparing Manichæan and Catholic obedience to the precepts of the Gospel. Augustin exposes the hypocrisy of the Manichæans and praises the asceticism of Catholics. 1. Faustus said: Do I …
2,339 wordsSECTION 866. I am, however, addressing not merely men who fail to do what they are commanded, but the members of a deluded sect. For the precepts of M
6. I am, however, addressing not merely men who fail to do what they are commanded, but the members of a deluded sect. For the precepts of Manichæus are such that, if you do not keep them, you are deceivers; if you do keep them, you are deceived. Christ never taught you that you should not pluck a vegetable for fear of committin…
2,136 wordsSECTION 87Book VI.
Book VI. Faustus avows his disbelief in the Old Testament and his disregard of its precepts, and accuses Catholics of inconsistency in neglecting its ordinances, while claiming to accept it as authoritative. Augustin explains the Catholic view of the relation of the Old Testament to the New. 1. Faustus said: You ask if I belie…
2,605 wordsSECTION 886. If you will not eat flesh why should you not slay animals in sacrifice to your God, in order that their souls, which you hold to be not o
6. If you will not eat flesh why should you not slay animals in sacrifice to your God, in order that their souls, which you hold to be not only human, but so divine as to be members of God Himself, may be released from the confinement of flesh, and be saved from returning by the efficacy of your prayers? Perhaps, however, your s…
2,326 wordsSECTION 899. The elders who pleased God kept their own order by their obedience, in observing, according to God's arrangement, what was appointed as s
9. The elders who pleased God kept their own order by their obedience, in observing, according to God's arrangement, what was appointed as suitable to certain times. So, although all animals intended for food are by nature clean, they abstained from some which had then a symbolical uncleanness, in preparation for the future reve…
1,119 wordsSECTION 90Book VII.
Book VII. The genealogical question is again taken up and argued on both sides. 1. Faustus said: You ask why I do not believe in the genealogy of Jesus. There are many reasons; but the principal is, that He never declares with His own lips that He had an earthly father or descent, but on the contrary, that he is not of this wo…
868 wordsSECTION 91Book VIII.
Book VIII. Faustus maintains that to hold to the Old Testament after the giving of the New is putting new cloth on an old garment. Augustin further explains the relation of the Old Testament to the New, and reproaches the Manichæans with carnality. 1. Faustus said: Another reason for not receiving the Old Testament is, that I …
716 wordsSECTION 92Book IX.
Book IX. Faustus argues that if the apostles born under the old covenant could lawfully depart from it, much more can he having been born a Gentile. Augustin explains the relation of Jews and Gentiles alike to the Gospel. 1. Faustus said: Another reason for not receiving the Old Testament is, that if it was allowable for the a…
915 wordsSECTION 93Book X.
Book X. Faustus insists that the Old Testament promises are radically different from those of the New. Augustin admits a difference, but maintains that the moral precepts are the same in both. 1. Faustus said: Another reason for not receiving the Old Testament is, that both the Old and the New teach us not to covet what belong…
806 wordsSECTION 94Book XI.
Book XI. Faustus quotes passages to show that the Apostle Paul abandoned belief in the incarnation, to which he earlier held. Augustin shows that the apostle was consistent with himself in the utterances quoted. 1. Faustus said: Assuredly I believe the apostle. And yet I do not believe that the Son of God was born of the seed …
2,492 wordsSECTION 956. With regard, then, to this apparent contradiction between the passage which speaks of the Son of God being of the seed of David, to the w
6. With regard, then, to this apparent contradiction between the passage which speaks of the Son of God being of the seed of David, to the words, "Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more," even though both quotations were not from the writings of one apostle,--though one were from Paul…
2,373 wordsSECTION 96Book XII.
------------------------ [377] Rom. i. 3. [378] 2 Cor. v. 16. [379] 1 Cor. xiii. 11. [380] [The extremely subjective method of dealing with Scripture which Augustin ascribes to Faustus, was characteristic of Manichæism in general.--A.H.N.] [381] Gal. iv. 4, 5. [382] 2 Tim. ii. 8. [383] 1 Cor. xv. 3, 4, 12. [384] Gen. ii.…
2,347 wordsSECTION 977. To enumerate all the passages in the Hebrew prophets referring to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, would exceed the limits of a volume,
7. To enumerate all the passages in the Hebrew prophets referring to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, would exceed the limits of a volume, not to speak of the brief replies of which this treatise consists. The whole contents of these Scriptures are either directly or indirectly about Christ. Often the reference is allegorical …
2,245 wordsSECTION 9813. "And the Lord God set a mark upon Cain, lest any one finding him should slay him." It is a most notable fact, that all the nations subju
13. "And the Lord God set a mark upon Cain, lest any one finding him should slay him." It is a most notable fact, that all the nations subjugated by Rome adopted the heathenish ceremonies of the Roman worship; while the Jewish nation, whether under Pagan or Christian monarchs, has never lost the sign of their law, by which they …
2,359 wordsSECTION 9922. Then, again, it is significant that when God speaks to Noah, and begins anew, as it were, in order, by repetition in various forms, to d
22. Then, again, it is significant that when God speaks to Noah, and begins anew, as it were, in order, by repetition in various forms, to draw attention to the figure of the Church, the sons of Noah are blessed, and told to replenish the earth, and all animals are given to them for food; as was said to Peter of the vessel, "Kil…
2,232 wordsSECTION 10029. Of the departure of Israel from Egypt, let us hear what the apostle himself says: "I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant tha
29. Of the departure of Israel from Egypt, let us hear what the apostle himself says: "I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and did all eat the same spiritual meat, and did all dri…
2,294 wordsSECTION 10138. As an example of those particulars which have no meaning at all if not a symbolical one: Granting that it was necessary that woman shoul
38. As an example of those particulars which have no meaning at all if not a symbolical one: Granting that it was necessary that woman should be made as an help meet for man, what natural reason can be assigned for her being taken from his side while he slept? Granting that an ark was required in order to escape from the flood, …
2,518 wordsSECTION 10245. Faustus has an evasive objection, which he no doubt thinks a most ingenious way of eluding the force of the clearest evidence of prophec
45. Faustus has an evasive objection, which he no doubt thinks a most ingenious way of eluding the force of the clearest evidence of prophecy, but of which one is unwilling to take any notice, because answering it may give it an appearance of importance which it does not really possess. What could be more irrational than to say …
1,469 wordsSECTION 103Book XIII.
Book XIII. Faustus asserts that even if the Old Testament could be shown to contain predictions, it would be of interest only to the Jews, pagan literature subserving the same purpose for Gentiles. Augustin shows the value of prophesy for Gentiles and Jews alike. 1. Faustus said: We are asked how we worship Christ when we reje…
2,251 wordsSECTION 1047. Let us suppose, then, a conversation with a heathen inquirer, in which Faustus described us as making a poor appearance, though his own a
7. Let us suppose, then, a conversation with a heathen inquirer, in which Faustus described us as making a poor appearance, though his own appearance was much more deplorable. If we say to the heathen, Believe in Christ, for He is God, and, on his asking for evidence, produce the authority of the prophets, if he says that he doe…
2,303 wordsSECTION 10513. As if anticipating that the inquirer would ask next by what plain mark a young disciple, not yet able to distinguish the truth among so
13. As if anticipating that the inquirer would ask next by what plain mark a young disciple, not yet able to distinguish the truth among so many errors, might find the true Church of Christ, since the clear fulfillment of so many predictions compelled him to believe in Christ, the prophet answers this question in what follows, a…
2,493 wordsSECTION 106Book XIV.
------------------------ [489] [On the Sibylline books, see article by G. H. Schodde in the Schaff-Hertzog Encyclopædia of Religious Knowledge, and the works there referred to. The Christian writers of the first three centuries seem not to have suspected the real character of these pseudo-prophetical writings, and to have regar…
2,449 wordsSECTION 1077. The believer in the true doctrine of the gospel will understand that Christ is not reproached by Moses when he speaks of Him as cursed, n
7. The believer in the true doctrine of the gospel will understand that Christ is not reproached by Moses when he speaks of Him as cursed, not in His divine majesty, but as hanging on the tree as our substitute, bearing our punishment, any more than He is praised by the Manichæans when they deny that He had a mortal body, so as …
2,203 wordsSECTION 108Book XV.
[527] Deut. xxv. 5-10. [528] Gal. iii. 10. [529] Rom. vi. 6. [530] Rom. viii. 3. [531] 2 Cor. v. 21. [532] 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2. [533] Rom. i. 25. [534] 1 Tim. iv. 4. [535] 1 Cor. xv. 40. [536] Matt. x. 28. [537] Rom. vi. 6. [538] Rom. viii. 3. [539] 2 Cor. v. 21. [540] Isa. lvi. 4, 5. [541] [In scarcely any other Manic…
2,619 wordsSECTION 1095. I turn now to thee, thou deluded and deluding congregation of Manichæus,--wedded to so many elements, or rather prostituted to so many de
5. I turn now to thee, thou deluded and deluding congregation of Manichæus,--wedded to so many elements, or rather prostituted to so many devils, and impregnated with blasphemous falsehoods,--dost thou dare to slander as unchaste the marriage of the Catholic Church with thy Lord? Behold thy lovers, one balancing creation, and th…
2,263 wordsSECTION 1108. The true bride of Christ, whom thou hast the audacity to taunt with the stone tablets, knows the difference between the letter and the sp
8. The true bride of Christ, whom thou hast the audacity to taunt with the stone tablets, knows the difference between the letter and the spirit, or in other words, between law and grace; and serving God no longer in the oldness of the letter, but in newness of spirit, she is not under the law, but under grace. She is not blinde…
2,315 wordsSECTION 111Book XVI.
------------------------ [542] 2 Cor. iii. 5, 6. [543] Rom. vii. 2, 3. [544] Rom. i. 1-3. [545] 1 Cor. xi. 19. [546] Lib. viii. [547] Matt. xiii. 52. [548] Matt. vi. 24. [549] 2 Cor. xi. 2, 3. [550] Ps. xxxi. 19. [551] 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. [552] Ezek. xi. 19. [553] 1 Pet. ii. 4-8. [554] Rom. xiii. 9, 10. [555] Matt. x…
2,303 wordsSECTION 1129. Augustin replied: Your idea of taking any prophecies of Christ to be found in Moses, as a fish out of the sea, while you throw away the w
9. Augustin replied: Your idea of taking any prophecies of Christ to be found in Moses, as a fish out of the sea, while you throw away the water from which the fish is taken, is a clever one. But since all that Moses wrote is of Christ, or relates to Christ, either as predicting Him by words and actions, or as illustrating His g…
2,573 wordsSECTION 11315. I still hold that there is a reference to Christ in the passage which you select for refutation, where God says to Moses, "I will raise
15. I still hold that there is a reference to Christ in the passage which you select for refutation, where God says to Moses, "I will raise up unto them from among their brethren a prophet like unto thee." [585] The string of showy antitheses with which you try to ornament your dull discourse does not at all affect my belief of …
2,503 wordsSECTION 11421. In view of the multitudes from all nations who have become zealous believers in these books, it is laughably absurd to tell us that it i
21. In view of the multitudes from all nations who have become zealous believers in these books, it is laughably absurd to tell us that it is impossible to persuade a Gentile to learn the Christian faith from Jewish books. Indeed, it is a great confirmation of our faith that such important testimony is borne by enemies. The beli…
2,410 wordsSECTION 11526. Faustus uses an argument which is either very deceitful or very stupid. And as Faustus is not stupid, it is probable that he used the ar
26. Faustus uses an argument which is either very deceitful or very stupid. And as Faustus is not stupid, it is probable that he used the argument intentionally, with the design of misleading the careless reader. He says: If these things are not written of Christ, and if you cannot show any others, it follows that there are none…
2,337 wordsSECTION 11631. You follow Adimantus in saying that Christ made no distinction in food, except in entirely prohibiting the use of animal food to His dis
31. You follow Adimantus in saying that Christ made no distinction in food, except in entirely prohibiting the use of animal food to His disciples, while He allowed the laity to eat anything that is eatable; and declared that they were not polluted by what enters into the mouth, but that the unseemly things which come out of the…
1,987 wordsSECTION 117Book XVII.
Book XVII. Faustus rejects Christ's declaration that He came not to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfill them, on the ground that it is found only in Matthew, who was not present when the words purport to have been spoken. Augustin rebukes the folly of refusing to believe Matthew and yet believing Manichæus, and show…
2,279 wordsSECTION 118Book XVIII.
------------------------ [634] Matt. ix. 9. [635] Deut. xii. 32. [636] Gal. i. 9. [637] John xxi. 25. [638] John xii. 41. [639] John v. 46. [640] John xxi. 20-24. [641] Luke xviii. 8. [642] Matt. xi. 19. [643] John v. 25. [644] Matt. xxiii. 3. [645] Matt. v. 17-20. [646] Rom. xiii. 10. [647] Rom. v. 5. [648] John …
2,189 wordsSECTION 119Book XIX.
Book XIX. Faustus is willing to admit that Christ may have said that He came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them; but if He did, it was to pacify the Jews and in a modified sense. Augustin replies, and still further elaborates the Catholic view of prophecy and its fulfillment. 1. Faustus said: I will g…
2,799 wordsSECTION 1208. Christ also fulfilled the prophecies, because the promises of God were made good in Him. As the apostle says in the verse quoted above, "
8. Christ also fulfilled the prophecies, because the promises of God were made good in Him. As the apostle says in the verse quoted above, "The promises of God are in Him yea." Again, he says: "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers." [67…
2,575 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.