Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Introductory notes and also Book I of 'The refutation of all heresies'.
My summary
This week we begin a new volume in the series.
After reading the preface to the volume, the translator introduces us to Hippolytus. We learn of:
(i) his importance in church history;
(ii) the manuscript for his work;
(iii) his life;
(iv) the contents and value of his work.
We then read the first book of 'The refutation of all heresies'. Essentially the book sets the stage by giving an overview of pagan philosophers (without refutation - that is to follow).
Hippolytus himself gives a good summary of the contents of Book I at its opening:
'We propose to furnish an account of the tenets of natural philosophers, and who these are, as well as the tenets of moral philosophers, and who these are; and thirdly, the tenets of logicians, and who these logicians are.
Among natural philosophers may be enumerated Thales, Pythagoras, Empedocles, Heraclitus, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, Archelaus, Parmenides, Leucippus, Democritus, Xenophanes, Ecphantus, Hippo.
Among moral philosophers are Socrates, pupil of Archelaus the physicist, (and) Plato the pupil of Socrates. This (speculator) combined three systems of philosophy.
Among logicians is Aristotle, pupil of Plato. He systematized the art of dialectics. Among the Stoic (logicians) were Chrysippus (and) Zeno. Epicurus, however, advanced an opinion almost contrary to all philosophers. Pyrrho was an Academic;22 this (speculator) taught the incomprehensibility of everything. The Brahmins among the Indians, and the Druids among the Celts, and Hesiod (devoted themselves to philosophic pursuits).'
What grabbed me
I really enjoyed today's reading, both the subject matter and Hippolytus' systematic writing style.
I also liked Hippolytus' honesty about the difficulty of the work: 'The undertaking admittedly is full of labour, and (is one) requiring extended research. We shall not, however, be wanting in exertion; for afterwards it will be a source of joy, just like an athlete obtaining with much toil the crown, or a merchant after a huge swell of sea compassing gain, or a husbandman after sweat of brow enjoying the fruits, or a prophet after reproaches and insults seeing his predictions turning out true.'
Sounds like Hippolytus was not afraid of mental labour.
Next week's reading
Read Book IV of 'The refutation of all heresies' by Hippolytus.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment