Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 6) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue the work of Archelaus by reading up to the paragraph beginning '39. On hearing these matters, those who were present gave great glory to God...'
My summary
Today we continue hearing the dialogue between Archelaus and Manes before the judges.
Again, the primary focus is on the existence of light and darkness and whether Satan is as powerful as God. Various illustrations are used to try and explain the subject.
The free-will of man forms part of the discussion.
What grabbed me
I liked the point from Archelaus that the one who separates light from darkness must be superior: 'Archelaus said: Let him also explain the following subject with a view to what has been propounded. If God is seated in His kingdom, and if the wicked one in like manner is seated in his kingdom, who can have constructed the wall between them? For no object can divide two substances except one that is greater than either, even as it is said in the book of Genesis, that "God divided the light from the darkness." Consequently the constructor of this wall must also be some one of a capacity like that: for the wall marks the boundaries of these two parties, just as among people who dwell in the rural parts a stone is usually taken to mark off the portion of each several party; which custom, however, would afford a better apprehension of the case were we to take the division to refer specially to the marking out of an inheritance falling to brothers.'
If God doesn't separate light from darkness, then who does?
And if God does separate light from darkness, then God must reign supreme.
Next week's reading
Conclude the work of Archelaus.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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