Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Book VI of 'The refutation of all heresies' by Hippolytus.
My summary
Once again, Hippolytus gave a good summary of today's Book at the beginning:
'The following are the contents of the sixth book of the Refutation of all Heresies:—
What the opinions are that are attempted (to be established) by Simon, and that his doctrine derives its force from the (lucubrations) of magicians and poets.
What are the opinions propounded by Valentinus, and that his system is not constructed out of the Scriptures, but out of the Platonic and Pythagorean tenets.
And what are the opinions of Secundus, and Ptolemæus, and Heracleon, as persons also who themselves advanced the same doctrines as the philosophers among the Greeks, but enunciated them in different phraseology.
And what are the suppositions put forward by Marcus and Colarbasus, and that some of them devoted their attention to magical arts and the Pythagorean numbers.'
What grabbed me
Sadly I don't think Hippolytus does much refuting in his 'refutations'. They are more summaries of strange teachings.
Hippolytus even admits in today's reading that it is Irenaeus who really refutes these heresies: 'And they suppose this to constitute productiveness (in their system), if any one in like manner, making some greater discovery, will appear to work wonders. And finding, (as they insinuate,) each of the particulars of Scripture to accord with the aforesaid numbers, they (attempt to) criminate Moses and the prophets, alleging that these speak allegorically of the measures of the Æons. And inasmuch as these statements are trifling and unstable, it does not appear to me expedient to bring them before (the reader. This, however, is the less requisite,) as now the blessed presbyter Irenæus has powerfully and elaborately refuted the opinions of these (heretics). And to him we are indebted for a knowledge of their inventions, (and have thereby succeeded in) proving that these heretics, appropriating these opinions from the Pythagorean philosophy, and from over-spun theories of the astrologers, cast an imputation upon Christ, as though He had delivered these (doctrines).'
If you really want to know what's wrong with these heretics, Irenaeus should be the first port of call (and thankfully we've already read him in the book club!).
Next week's reading
Read Book VII 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.
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