Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue 'Part II. Dogmatical and historical' by reading the 'Expository treatise against the Jews' and Against Plato, on the cause of the universe' and 'Against the heresy of one Noetus'.
My summary
This week Hippolytus argues with the Jews, Plato and Noetus.
Firstly, Hippolytus explains to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah because he fulfils Old Testament prophecy. To make his case, he quotes extensively from the Psalms, and also the Book of Wisdom.
Next, Hippolytus defends the bodily resurrection in light of the teachings of the Platonists.
Thirdly, Hippolytus denies the teaching of Noetus who believed that 'If therefore I acknowledge Christ to be God, He is the Father Himself, if He is indeed God; and Christ suffered, being Himself God; and consequently the Father suffered, for He was the Father Himself.'
What grabbed me
I liked Hippolytus clear Trinitarian statement: ' God, subsisting alone, and having nothing contemporaneous with Himself, determined to create the world. And conceiving the world in mind, and willing and uttering the word, He made it; and straightway it appeared, formed as it had pleased Him. For us, then, it is sufficient simply to know that there was nothing contemporaneous with God. Beside Him there was nothing; but He, while existing alone, yet existed in plurality. For He was neither without reason, nor wisdom, nor power, nor counsel.'
God is one, yet three. And that should be sufficient for us.
Next week's reading
Conclude 'Part II. Dogmatical and historical' by reading the 'Against Beron and Helix', 'The discourse on the Holy Theophany' and 'Fragments of discourses or homilies'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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