Patristics

“The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognized by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end.” Ignatius, Ephesians, XIV, ANF 1:55

Baier's Axioms

Dic, ubi tunc esset, cum praeter eum nihil esset:

Tunc, ubi nunc, in se, quoniam sibi sufficit ipse.

Say, then where He might be, when beside Him nothing may exist:

Then, where [He is] now, in Himself, since He is sufficient in Himself.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Gregory of Nazianzus, 329(?)-389(?)

- the last of the Cappadocians and a friend to the other two - was a better preacher than the others and a good writer - served in a number of different places, including being the bishop of Constantinople for a while (but was not enough of a politician to stay there long)

Luther quotes

“Finally, we have before us one big, strong objection to answer. Yes, they say, it would be a fine thing to be married, but how will I support myself? …. What shall I say to this objection? It shows a lack of faith and out of God's goodness and truth. …. They trust in God as long as they know they do not need him, and that they are well supplied.” Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:47

Latin proverbs

Qui pro innocente dicit, satis est eloquens. (Pub. Syrus)

He who speaks for the innocent is eloquent enough.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Gregory of Nyssa, 335-394

- Basil's younger brother, regarded as a better preacher and theologian, but not as good an administrator - is renowned as the most profound of the three Cappadocians - was bishop of the little town of Nyssa from 371-394

Imitation of Christ

Habet magnum et salubre purgatorium homo patiens, qui suscipiens injurias, plus dolet de alterius malitia, quam de sua injuria, qui pro contrariantibus sibi libenter orat, et ex corde culpas indulget; qui veniam ab aliis petere non retardat, qui facilius miseretur quam irascitur, qui sibi ipsi violentiam frequenter facit, et carnem suam omnino spiritui subjugare conatur. Melius est modo purgare peccata, et vitia resecare, quam in futuro purganda reservare. Vere nos ipsos decipimus per inordinatum amorem, quem ad carnem habemus. 

   

The patient man has  a great opportunity of purifying his soul. When suffering injuries he grieves more for the other's malice than for his own wrong; when he prays heartily for those who work against  him, and forgives them from his heart; when he is not slow to ask pardon from others; when he is swifter to pity than to anger; when he frequently denies himself and strives altogether to subdue the flesh to the spirit. Better is it now to purify the soul from sin, than to cling to sins from which we must be purged hereafter. Truly we deceive ourselves by the inordinate love which we bear towards the flesh.

The Imitation of Christ, I, 24:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Pride was not created for men, nor fierce anger for those born of women." Ecclesiasticus 10:18

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Basil of Caesarea (Basil the Great), 330-379

- one of the “Cappadocians” who became leading theologians along with Athanasius - born in Cappadocia (western Turkey), he became a proponent of monasticism (for people “serious” about Christianity) and Nicea

- in 370 he became the bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and so was able to strengthen the Nicene cause significantly

Patristics

“And let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood to be no Christian, even though they profess with the lips the precepts of Christ; for not those who make profession, but those who do the works, shall be saved, ….” Justin Martyr, First Apology, XVI, ANF 1:168

Baier's Axioms

Enter, praesenter Deus hic et ubique potenter.

In essence, God is presently powerful here and everywhere.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Athanasius of Alexandria, 295-373
- considered one of the great teachers or “doctors” of the church - at the synod of Nicea, he wasthe chief spokesman for the church of Alexandria, and for the view that Christ is 'homoousios,' that is, “of one substance” with the Father (whatever it was that made God god, the Son is “made” of the same stuff)
- becoming bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius was soon seen as the chief opponent of the Arians and since the Arians were influencing the emperor, Athanasius was exiled under Constantine (335-337 [Athanasius was accused of murdering a man and cutting off the man's hand to use in magic - Athanasius was able to produce the man, alive and unharmed, but he was exiled anyway]), Constantius (339-347 and 356-362), Julian (362-363), and Valens (365)
- when he died, Athanasius was greatly respected for having stood firmly for the faith regardless of all the pressure the emperor could bring to bear

Luther quotes

“Know therefore that marriage is an outward, bodily thing, like any other worldly undertaking. Just as I may eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride with, buy from, speak to, and deal with a heathen Jew, Turk, or heretic, so I may also marry and continue in wedlock with him.” Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:25

Latin proverbs

Semper inops quicumque cupit. (Claudian)

Whoever desires is always poor.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular

Magnus Maximus, 383-388

- took the throne because soldiers in Britain didn't like Gratian - was temporarily accepted as an emperor by Valentinian II and Theodosius - Theodosius eventually moved against him and he was defeated and executed

- was a devout Christian and began the practice of executing people for heresy and witchcraft (even though Martin of Tours and Ambrose of Milan protested, and Pope Siricus excommunicated those who had made accusations)

Imitation of Christ

In omnibus rebus respice finem, et qualiter ante districtum judicem stabis, cui nihil est occultum, qui muneribus non placatur, nec escusationes recipit, sed quod justum est, judicabit. O miserrime et insipiens, quid respondebis Deo, omniamala tua scienti, qui interdum times vultum hominis irati? Ut quid non prævides tibi in judicii die? Quando nemo poterit per alium excusari vel defendi, sed unusquisque sufficiens onus suum portabit sisi ipsi. Nunc labor tuus est fructuosus, fletus acceptabilies, gemitus exaudibilis, dolor satisfactorius et purgativus.

In all that you do, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes in fear of the countenance of an angry man, what will you answer to God, who knows all your misdeeds? Why do you not provide for yourself against the  day of judgment, when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by means of another, but each one shall bear his burden himself alone? Now does your labour bring forth fruit, now is your weeping acceptable, your groaning heard, your sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to your soul.

Imitation of Christ, I, 24:1

Ecclesiasticus

"The beginning of man's pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the man who clings to it pours out abominations."  Ecclesiasticus 10:12-13

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular

Theodosius I, the Great, 379-395

- appointed emperor in the east after Adrianopole - tried to expel the Goths, but couldn't, so they were accepted as “federates,” allied nations living within the borders of the empire, living under their own laws and rulers

- in order to rebuild the army, it took money - Theodosius proclaimed in one law that “No man shall possess any property that is exempt from taxation.” - tenants could not leave their land; if they did they were “stealing” their own person from their landlord

- when Gratian was killed by Magnus Maximus, Theodosius gathered troops, and defeated him, and also defeated Arbogast, Valentinian II's killer - Theodosius only lived 5 more months

- was a devout Christian, perhaps too much so, for he felt it was his duty to persecute the pagans as they had earlier persecuted Christians - paganism was forbidden under threat of heavy penalties

- at Thessalonica in 390, a mob lynched a government official - Theodosius ordered that the army was to massacre several thousand citizens as a punishment - though Theodosius had countermanded the order (and so fewer people had died), Bishop Ambrose refused to give communion to the emperor until he had publicly done penance for the massacre (this, i.e., someone telling the emperor what he had to do, was literally unheard of)

Patristics

“For the coming into being at first was not in our own power; and in order that we may follow those things which please Him, choosing them by means of the rational faculties He has Himself endorsed us with, He both persuades us and leads to faith.” Justin Martyr, First Apology, X, ANF 1:165

Baier's Axioms

Unum nomen, una deitas.

One name, one deity.