Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 6) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue 'The seven books of Arnobius against the heathen' by reading Book VI.
My summary
Now Arnobius ridicules the pagans for their temples, images and sacrifices that they make for their gods.
This is primarily in response to the criticism placed on Christians for not having such practices.
Arnobius opening comments summarise the work: 'For you are here in the habit of fastening upon us a very serious charge of impiety because we do not rear temples for the ceremonies of worship, do not set up statues and images of any god, do not build altars, do not offer the blood of creatures slain in sacrifices, incense, nor sacrificial meal, and finally, do not bring wine flowing in libations from sacred bowls; which, indeed, we neglect to build and do, not as though we cherish impious and wicked dispositions, or have conceived any madly desperate feeling of contempt for the gods, but because we think and believe that they—if only they are true gods, and are called by this exalted name—either scorn such honours, if they give way to scorn, or endure them with anger, if they are roused by feelings of rage.'
What grabbed me
An interesting reading.
I liked comments such as this one: 'For if you are assured that the gods exist whom you suppose, and that they live in the highest regions of heaven, what cause, what reason, is there that those images should be fashioned by you, when you have true beings to whom you may pour forth prayers, and from whom you may ask help in trying circumstances?'
If your gods are real, why make idols?
Next week's reading
Conclude 'The seven books of Arnobius against the heathen' by reading Book VI.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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