Origen Against Celsus Book V " It is not to be wondered at, indeed, if such thoughts have been entertained by those amongst us who are called in Scripture the "foolish things" of the world, and "base things," and "things which are despised," and "things which are not," because "by the foolishness of... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V which the apostle prescribes for those to whom he writes, but "grace and peace."[197] Tertullian Against Marcion Book V Now, when he announces these blessings as "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus,"[202]... [ Continue Reading ]
Origen Commentary on John Book VI The result of my counting, it is true, has been that I do not possess what is required to finish it; yet I have put my trust in God, who enriches us[5]... [ Continue Reading ]
Polycrates of Ephesus It is surely noteworthy that nobody doubted that it was kept by a Christian and Apostolic ordinance. So St. Paul argues from its Christian observance, in his rebuke of the Corinthians.[4]... [ Continue Reading ]
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book II And when it is said, "God is faithful," it is intimated that He is worthy to be believed when declaring aught. Now His Word declares; and "God" Himself is "faithful."[63] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V as "God," who by instruction is communicated to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians It is therefore befitting that you should in every way glorify Jesus Christ, who hath glorified you, that by a unanimous obedience "ye may be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment, and may all speak the same thing concerning the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian On Baptism to Paul, another to Apollos.[146]... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V give any sign of His Christ, as destined to be the foundation of such as believe in Him, upon which every man should build at will the superstructure of either sound or worthless doctrine; forasmuch as it is the Creator's function, when a man's work shall be tried... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian On Baptism , why did he baptize Gaius, and Crispus, and the house of Stephanas?[145] Tertullian On Modesty And what kind of invidiousness is the pungency of humility? "To God I give thanks that I have baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius, lest any say that I have baptized in... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian On Baptism apostle himself, in that he said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize; "[144] Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews Because the Jews desire signs, and the Greeks seek for wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block,... [ Continue Reading ]
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block[123] Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I Moreover, they affirm that the Apostle Paul himself made mention of this cross in the following words: "The doctrine of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I Of these and the like, who devote their attention to empty words, the divine Scripture most excellently says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."[46] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I of this wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians to those that do not believe, but to us salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer? "[124] Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians The cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling-block to those that do not believe, but to the believing it is... [ Continue Reading ]
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I And if you ask the cause of their seeming wisdom, he will say, "because of the blindness of their heart; "since "in the wisdom of God," that is, as proclaimed by the prophets, "the world knew not," in the wisdom "which spake by the prophets," "Him,"[202] Tertu... [ Continue Reading ]
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I Why, then, you will ask, did you think it fit that such an arrangement should be adopted in your memoranda? Because there is great danger in divulging the secret of the true philosophy to those, whose delight it is unsparingly to speak against everything, not j... [ Continue Reading ]
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III And again, writing to the Corinthians, he declares, "But we preach Christ Jesus crucified; "[329] Tertullian An Answer to the Jews of the passion itself should be figuratively set forth in predictions; and the more incredible (that mystery), the more likely to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I But the teaching, which is according to the Saviour, is complete in itself and without defect, being "the power and wisdom of God; "[231] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I The law of this man who possesses knowledge is the saving precept; or rather, the l... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian Against Marcion Book II We, however, know that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."[26] Tertullian Against Marcion Book V Now, what is that "foolishness of God which is wiser than men," but the cross and death of Christ? What is that... [ Continue Reading ]
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II But since neither he, nor the chief priests, nor the rulers, nor the eminent of the people, turned to Him [in faith], but, on the contrary, those who sat begging by the highway, the deaf, and the blind, while He was rejected and despised by others, according to wha... [ Continue Reading ]
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V are not), "to bring to nothing things which are" (that is, which really are).[228] Tertullian Against Marcion Book V But how remote is our (Catholic) verity from the artifices of this heretic, when it dreads to arouse the anger of God, and firmly believes that He... [ Continue Reading ]
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI namely, that which was not Israel, nor clear of vision, that He might put to shame the wise ones of Israel; and He called "the things which are not,"[180]... [ Continue Reading ]
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III and that he might always continue glorifying God, and giving thanks without ceasing, for that salvation which he has derived from Him, "that no flesh should glory in the Lord's presence; "[379] Tertullian Against Marcion Book V (the Creator) in the process of co... [ Continue Reading ]
Origen Against Celsus Book V for these things are in our view the Son of God, as His genuine disciple has shown, when he said of Him, "Who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."[142] Origen Against Celsus Book VI " But every one who prefers vice and a... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Clement Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his mig... [ Continue Reading ]