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| Chapter LII
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Chapter LII.
Celsus proceeds as follows: “With
regard to the origin of the world and its destruction, whether it is to
be regarded as uncreated and indestructible, or as created indeed, but
not destructible, or the reverse, I at present say
nothing.” For this reason we too say nothing on these
points, as the work in hand does not require it. Nor do we allege
that the Spirit of the universal God mingled itself in things here
below as in things alien to itself,4540
| 4540 ὡς
ἐν
ἀλλοτρίοις
τοῖς τῇδε. | as might
appear from the expression, “The Spirit of God moved upon the
water;” nor do we assert that certain wicked devices directed
against His Spirit, as if by a different creator from the great God,
and which were tolerated by the Supreme Divinity, needed to be
completely frustrated. And, accordingly, I have nothing further
to say to those4541
who utter such
absurdities; nor to Celsus, who does not refute them with
ability. For he ought either not to have mentioned such matters
at all, or else, in keeping with that character for philanthropy which
he assumes, have carefully set them forth, and then endeavoured to
rebut these impious assertions. Nor have we ever heard that the
great God, after giving his spirit to the creator, demands it back
again. Proceeding next foolishly to assail these impious
assertions, he asks: “What god gives anything with the
intention of demanding it back? For it is the mark of a needy
person to demand back (what he has given), whereas God stands in need
of nothing.” To this he adds, as if saying something clever
against certain parties: “Why, when he lent (his spirit),
was he ignorant that he was lending it to an evil being?”
He asks, further: “Why does he pass without notice4542
a wicked creator who was counter-working his
purposes?”E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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