Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 5
Gregory of Nyssa — Dogmatic Treatises
SECTION 81
[839] S. John i. 18
[839] S. John i. 18 [840] 1 Tim. vi. 16. [841] 1 Tim. vi. 16. [842] Ps. cxlv. 3. §5. After much discourse concerning the actually existent, and ungenerate and good, and upon the consubstantiality of the heavenly powers, showing the uncharted character of their essence, yet the difference of their ranks, he ends the book. No…
1,413 wordsSECTION 82Book VIII.
Book VIII. §1. The eighth book very notably overthrows the blasphemy of the heretics who say that the Only-begotten came from nothing, and that there was a time when He was not, and shows the Son to be no new being, but from everlasting, from His having said to Moses, "I am He that is," and to Manoah, "Why askest thou My name? …
2,733 wordsSECTION 83Just as, if one were to grant (I speak, of course, hypothetically) the power of deliberate choice to belong to flame, it would be clear that
Just as, if one were to grant (I speak, of course, hypothetically) the power of deliberate choice to belong to flame, it would be clear that the flame will at once upon its existence will that its radiance should shine forth from itself, and when it wills it will not be impotent (since, on the appearance of the flame, its natura…
2,995 wordsSECTION 84[871] This passage is clearly corrupt: the general sense as probably intended is given here.
[871] This passage is clearly corrupt: the general sense as probably intended is given here. [872] See note 7 in the last section. [873] The reference is probably to Ps. lx. 8, and Ps. cviii. 9. [874] Ps. cxlviii. 5 (LXX.). [875] Heb. i. 3. [876] Perhaps Cant. i. 3. [877] Wisd. vii. 25. [878] Cf. S. John i. 1 [879] Cf. S…
2,255 wordsSECTION 85Concerning whom was the controversy? Was it not concerning the Only-begotten God, the Maker of all the creation, whether He always was, or w
Concerning whom was the controversy? Was it not concerning the Only-begotten God, the Maker of all the creation, whether He always was, or whether He came into being afterwards as an addition to His Father? What then do our master's words say on this matter? That it is irreverent to believe that what is naturally good was not in…
2,503 wordsSECTION 86Book IX.
[881] Heb. i. 3, and Cant. i. 3, referred to above. [882] S. John i. 1 [883] hupostasei [884] 1 Cor. i. 24. [885] Heb. i. 3. [886] Heb. i. 3. [887] Or perhaps "or an irrational first cause," (alogon archen.) [888] The reference is to S. Basil adv. Eunomium II. 12 (p. 247 in Ben. ed.) [889] Cf. Heb. xi. 4 [890] Reading h…
2,255 wordsSECTION 87However, though there is no interval between them, he does not admit that their communion is immediate and intimate, but condescends to the
However, though there is no interval between them, he does not admit that their communion is immediate and intimate, but condescends to the measure of our knowledge, and converses with us in human phrase as one of ourselves, himself quietly confessing the impotence of reasoning and taking refuge in a line of argument that was ne…
2,323 wordsSECTION 88Now that we have so far discussed these matters, let us resume consideration of our adversaries' argument. It says, "As all generation is no
Now that we have so far discussed these matters, let us resume consideration of our adversaries' argument. It says, "As all generation is not protracted to infinity, but ceases on arriving at some end." Now, since the sense of "generation" has been considered with respect to either meaning,--whether he intends by this word to si…
3,012 wordsSECTION 89Now these points being conceded to us, the further point is also clear to any one, that, as Moses says darkness was before the creation of l
Now these points being conceded to us, the further point is also clear to any one, that, as Moses says darkness was before the creation of light, so also in the case of the Son (if, according to the heretical statement, the Father "made Him at that time when He willed"), before He made Him, that Light which the Son is was not; a…
1,161 wordsSECTION 90Book X.
Book X. §1. The tenth book discusses the unattainable and incomprehensible character of the enquiry into entities. And herein he strikingly sets forth the points concerning the nature and formation of the ant, and the passage in the Gospel, "I am the door" and "the way," and also discusses the attribution and interpretation of …
2,605 wordsSECTION 91However, they who are enlightened in Eunomius' fashion pass the Son by, and are carried in their reasonings beyond Him, seeking eternal life
However, they who are enlightened in Eunomius' fashion pass the Son by, and are carried in their reasonings beyond Him, seeking eternal life in Him Who is contemplated as outside and apart from the Only-begotten. What ought one to say to such evils as these,--save whatever calls forth lamentation and weeping? Alas, how can we gr…
2,214 wordsSECTION 92But that our statement may not be thought to be unfair to our opponents, I will set side by side with it the language of the impious persons
But that our statement may not be thought to be unfair to our opponents, I will set side by side with it the language of the impious persons, which runs as follows:--"He Who is in the bosom of the Existent, and Who is in the beginning and is with God, not being, or at all events not being in a strict sense, even though Basil, ne…
2,570 wordsSECTION 93Such is the God of heresy. But what we, who, in the words of the Apostle, have been called to liberty by Christ [965] , Who hath freed us fr
Such is the God of heresy. But what we, who, in the words of the Apostle, have been called to liberty by Christ [965] , Who hath freed us from bondage, have been taught by the Scriptures to think, I will set forth in few words. I take my start from the inspired teaching, and boldly declare that the Divine Word does not wish even…
1,597 wordsSECTION 94Book XI.
Book XI. §1. The eleventh book shows that the title of "Good" is due, not to the Father alone, as Eunomius, the imitator of Manichæus and Bardesanes, alleges, but to the Son also, Who formed man in goodness and loving-kindness, and reformed him by His Cross and Death. Let us now go on to the next stage in his argument:--"....t…
2,811 wordsSECTION 95[976] Cf. S. Matt. xix. 17.
[976] Cf. S. Matt. xix. 17. [977] i.e.as man, and not as God. [978] Ps. xlv. 7, 8. (The Psalm is the 44th in the LXX. numeration, and is so styled by S. Gregory.) [979] Cf. Is. xlv. 14, 15 (LXX.). [980] Rom. ix. 5. [981] Cf. Tit. ii. 13. The quotation is not verbal; and here the rendering of the A.V. rather obscures the sen…
2,223 wordsSECTION 96If any one gainsays this, he will show himself to be a supporter of the Jewish persuasion in not associating the Son with the deliverance of
If any one gainsays this, he will show himself to be a supporter of the Jewish persuasion in not associating the Son with the deliverance of the people. For if, on the one hand, it was not an angel that went forth with the people, and if, on the other, as Eunomius would have it, He Who was manifested by the name of the Existent …
2,614 wordsSECTION 97Then he adds to this something by which his profanity is yet more completely stripped of all disguise, so that its absurdity is obvious even
Then he adds to this something by which his profanity is yet more completely stripped of all disguise, so that its absurdity is obvious even to a child. For he says,--"It would be a long task to detail all the modes of generation of intelligible objects, or the essences which do not all possess the nature of the Existent in comm…
1,913 wordsSECTION 98Book XII.
Book XII. §1. This twelfth book gives a notable interpretation of the words of the Lord to Mary, "Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended to My Father." But let us see what is the next addition that follows upon this profanity, an addition which is in fact the key of their defence of their doctrine. For those who would degrade…
2,223 wordsSECTION 99[1027] Cf. 1 Cor. viii. 6.
[1027] Cf. 1 Cor. viii. 6. [1028] There seems here to be an allusion to the supposed derivation of theos from theaomai, which is also the basis of an argument in the treatise "On Not three Gods,'" addressed to Ablabius. [1029] Gal. iv. 8. [1030] Jer. xvii. 11 (LXX.). [1031] Cf. Book IV. §3 (p. 158 sup.). With the general sta…
2,034 wordsSECTION 100But he has reached the irrefutable argument which we long ago detected lurking in the sequel of his statements [1050] , but which is here pr
But he has reached the irrefutable argument which we long ago detected lurking in the sequel of his statements [1050] , but which is here proclaimed aloud without disguise. For he wishes to show that the essence of the Son is subject to passion, and to decay, and in no wise differs from material nature, which is in a state of fl…
2,323 wordsSECTION 101[1060] The grammar of this section of the analysis is very much confused.
[1060] The grammar of this section of the analysis is very much confused. §5. Then, again discussing the true Light and unapproachable Light of the Father and of the Son, special attributes, community and essence, and showing the relation of "generate" and "ungenerate," as involving no opposition in sense [1061] , but presentin…
1,467 wordsSECTION 102Introduction to 'Epinoia
Introduction to 'Epinoia ------------------------ It is important, for the understanding of the following Book, to determine what faculty of the mind 'Epinoia is. Eunomius, Gregory says, "makes a solemn travesty" of the word. He reduces its force to its lowest level, and makes it only "fancy the unnatural," either contracting …
2,389 wordsSECTION 103First of all, however, I think it advisable to run briefly over our own doctrinal views and our opponent's disagreement with them, so that o
First of all, however, I think it advisable to run briefly over our own doctrinal views and our opponent's disagreement with them, so that our review of the propositions in question may proceed methodically. Now the main point of Christian orthodoxy [1071] is to believe that the Only-begotten God, Who is the truth and the true l…
2,654 wordsSECTION 104But, saith he, He is without both quantity and magnitude. Granted: for the Son also is unlimited by quantity and magnitude, and yet is He th
But, saith he, He is without both quantity and magnitude. Granted: for the Son also is unlimited by quantity and magnitude, and yet is He the Son. But this is not the point. For the task set before us is this: in what signification of ungenerate is essence declared? For as this word marks the difference of the properties, so the…
2,171 wordsSECTION 105It will presently be time to bring to their own recollection the method of this argument. Suffice it first to say this. There is no faculty
It will presently be time to bring to their own recollection the method of this argument. Suffice it first to say this. There is no faculty in human nature adequate to the full comprehension of the divine essence. It may be that it is easy to show this in the case of human capacity alone, and to say that the incorporeal creation…
2,215 wordsSECTION 106This, then, was the meaning of his safe guidance on the way to what he sought--that he was not blindly led by any of the means ready to hand
This, then, was the meaning of his safe guidance on the way to what he sought--that he was not blindly led by any of the means ready to hand for his instruction in the things of God, and that his mind, unimpeded by any object of sense, was never hindered from its journeying in quest of what lies beyond all that is known, but hav…
2,798 wordsSECTION 107Wherefore Holy Scripture omits all idle inquiry into substance as superfluous and unnecessary. And methinks it was for this that John, the S
Wherefore Holy Scripture omits all idle inquiry into substance as superfluous and unnecessary. And methinks it was for this that John, the Son of Thunder, who with the loud voice of the doctrines contained in his Gospel rose above that of the preaching which heralded them, said at the close of his Gospel, "There are also many ot…
2,281 wordsSECTION 108While, however, we strenuously avoid all concurrence with absurd notions in our thoughts of God, we allow ourselves in the use of many diver
While, however, we strenuously avoid all concurrence with absurd notions in our thoughts of God, we allow ourselves in the use of many diverse appellations in regard to Him, adapting them to our point of view. For whereas no suitable word has been found to express the Divine nature, we address God by many names, each by some dis…
2,889 wordsSECTION 109They say that God is ungenerate, and in this we agree. But that ungeneracy itself constitutes the Divine essence, here we take exception. Fo
They say that God is ungenerate, and in this we agree. But that ungeneracy itself constitutes the Divine essence, here we take exception. For we maintain that this term is declarative of God's ungenerate subsistence, but not that ungeneracy is God. But of what nature is his refutation? It is this: that before man's creation God …
2,494 wordsSECTION 110If, then, God gives things their names as our new expositor of the Divine record assures us, naming germ, and grass, and tree, and fruit, He
If, then, God gives things their names as our new expositor of the Divine record assures us, naming germ, and grass, and tree, and fruit, He must of necessity have pronounced each of these words not otherwise than as it is pronounced; i.e. according to the composition of the syllables, some of which are sounded by the lips, othe…
2,639 wordsSECTION 111But to return to the matter in question. We assert that the words "He said" do not imply voice and words on the part of God; but the writer,
But to return to the matter in question. We assert that the words "He said" do not imply voice and words on the part of God; but the writer, in showing [1110] the power of God to be concurrent with His will, renders the idea more easy of apprehension. For since by the will of God all things were created, and it is the ordinary w…
2,409 wordsSECTION 112And the futility of such assertions may be seen also by this. For as the natures of the elements, which are the work of the Creator, appear
And the futility of such assertions may be seen also by this. For as the natures of the elements, which are the work of the Creator, appear alike to all, and there is no difference to human sense in men's experience of fire, or air, or water, but the nature of each is one and unchanging, working in the same way, and suffering no…
2,025 wordsSECTION 113But since the nature of most things that are seen in Creation is not simple, so as to allow of all that they connote being comprehended in o
But since the nature of most things that are seen in Creation is not simple, so as to allow of all that they connote being comprehended in one word, as, for instance, in the case of fire, the element itself is one thing in its nature, while the word which denotes it is another (for fire itself possesses the qualities of shining,…
2,793 wordsSECTION 114But to return. Such names are used of our Lord, and no one familiar with the inspired Scriptures can deny the fact. What then? Does Eunomius
But to return. Such names are used of our Lord, and no one familiar with the inspired Scriptures can deny the fact. What then? Does Eunomius affirm that the words are indicative of His nature itself? If so, he asserts that the Divine nature is multiform, and that the variety which it displays in what is signified by the names is…
2,205 wordsSECTION 115But what is our author's meaning, and what is the object of this argument of his? For no one need imagine that, for lack of something to say
But what is our author's meaning, and what is the object of this argument of his? For no one need imagine that, for lack of something to say, in order that he may seem to extend his discourse to the utmost, he has indulged in all this senseless twaddle. Its very senselessness is not without a meaning, and smacks of heresy. For t…
2,838 wordsSECTION 116Then going farther, as if his object were thus far attained, he takes up other charges against us, more difficult, as he thinks, to deal wit
Then going farther, as if his object were thus far attained, he takes up other charges against us, more difficult, as he thinks, to deal with than the former, and with many preliminary groans and attempts to prejudice his hearers against us, and to whet their appetite for his address, accusing us withal of seeking to establish d…
2,584 wordsSECTION 117But it will be well, I think, to pass over his nauseating observations (for such we must term his senseless attacks on the method of concept
But it will be well, I think, to pass over his nauseating observations (for such we must term his senseless attacks on the method of conception), and dwell more pleasurably on the subject matter of our thought. For all the venom that our disputant has disgorged with the view of overthrowing our Master's speculations in regard to…
2,633 wordsSECTION 118But, says he, since God condescends to commune with His servants, we may consequently suppose that from the very beginning He enacted words
But, says he, since God condescends to commune with His servants, we may consequently suppose that from the very beginning He enacted words appropriate to things. What, then, is our answer? We account for God's willingness to admit men to communion with Himself by His love towards mankind. But since that which is by nature finit…
2,233 wordsSECTION 119And if we set forth the opinion of most commentators on these words of the Psalmist, that of Eunomius regarding them will be still more conv
And if we set forth the opinion of most commentators on these words of the Psalmist, that of Eunomius regarding them will be still more convicted of foolishness. For those who have most carefully searched out the sense of the inspired Scripture, declare that not all the works of creation are worthy of the Divine reckoning. For i…
2,560 wordsSECTION 120But I think we must pass over this and all that follows. For it is the mere trifling of children who amuse themselves with beginning to buil
But I think we must pass over this and all that follows. For it is the mere trifling of children who amuse themselves with beginning to build houses in sand. For having composed a portion of a paragraph, and not yet brought it to a conclusion, he shows that the same life is without beginning and without end, thus in his eagernes…
2,396 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.