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| Introduction:--The purpose of the book a vindication of Christian doctrine, and especially of the Cross, against the scoffing objection of Gentiles. The effects of this doctrine its main vindication.
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Against the
Heathen.
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§1. Introduction:—The purpose of
the book a vindication of Christian doctrine, and especially of the
Cross, against the scoffing objection of Gentiles. The effects of this
doctrine its main vindication.
The knowledge of our
religion and of the truth of things is independently manifest rather
than in need of human teachers, for almost day by day it asserts itself
by facts, and manifests itself brighter than the sun by the doctrine of
Christ. 2. Still, as you nevertheless desire to hear about it,
Macarius101
| 101 See
de Incarn. 1 and note there. | , come let us as we may be able set
forth a few points of the faith of Christ: able though you are to find
it out from the divine oracles, but yet generously desiring to hear
from others as well. 3. For although the sacred and inspired Scriptures
are sufficient102
| 102 Constantly insisted on by Athan. Cf. de Incarn. 5, and note
on de Decr. 32. | to declare the truth,—while there
are other works of our blessed teachers103
| 103 De
Incarn. 56. 2; he may also be referring to works from the Alex.
school, such as Orig. de Princ. |
compiled for this purpose, if he meet with which a man will gain some
knowledge of the interpretation of the Scriptures, and be able to learn
what he wishes to know,—still, as we have not at present in our
hands the compositions of our teachers, we must communicate in writing
to you what we learned from them,—the faith, namely, of Christ
the Saviour; lest any should hold cheap the doctrine taught among us,
or think faith. in Christ unreasonable. For this is what the Gentiles
traduce and scoff at, and laugh loudly at us, insisting on the one fact
of the Cross of Christ; and it is just here that one must pity their
want of sense, because when they traduce the Cross of Christ they do
not see that its power has filled all the world, and that by it the
effects of the knowledge of God are made manifest to all. 4. For they
would not have scoffed at such a fact, had they, too, been men who
genuinely gave heed to His divine Nature. On the contrary, they in
their turn would have recognised this man as Saviour of the world, and
that the Cross has been not a disaster, but a healing of Creation. 5.
For if after the Cross all idolatry was overthrown, while every
manifestation of demons is driven away by this Sign104
| 104 Cf.
de Incarn. 47. 2, 48. 3, Vit. Ant. passim. | ,
and Christ alone is worshipped and the Father known through Him, and,
while gainsayers are put to shame, He daily invisibly wins over the
souls of these gainsayers105
| 105 Cf.
de Incarn. 50. 3, 51. 3, &c. | ,—how, one might
fairly ask them, is it still open to us to regard the matter as human,
instead of confessing that He Who ascended the Cross is Word of God and
Saviour of the World? But these men seem to me quite as bad as one who
should traduce the sun when covered by clouds, while yet wondering at
his light, seeing how the whole of creation is illumined by him. 6. For
as the light is noble, and the sun, the chief cause of light, is nobler
still, so, as it is a divine thing for the whole world to be filled
with his knowledge, it follows that the orderer and chief cause of such
an achievement is God and the Word of God. 7. We speak then as lies
within our power, first refuting the ignorance of the unbelieving; so
that what is false being refuted, the truth may then shine forth of
itself, and that you yourself, friend, may be reassured that you have
believed what is true, and in coming to know Christ have not been
deceived. Moreover, I think it becoming to discourse to you, as a lover
of Christ, about Christ, since I am sure that you rate faith in and
knowledge of Him above anything else whatsoever.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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