Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 6) - XIII - Archelaus concluded

Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 6) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude the work of Archelaus.

My summary
Today we finish hearing about Archelaus' interaction with Manes.

We learn about:
(i) the crowd's acceptance of Archelaus' speech;
(ii) the retreat of Manes (including his being pelted by children);
(iii) Manes interaction with Diodorus (another godly man);
(iv) Diodorus' correspondence with Archelaus (including extended comment on Christ's compatibility with the law of Moses);
(v) Manes being cornered into further debate with Archelaus (including discussion of Christ's humanity);
(vi) the acceptance of Archelaus once again and the retreat of Manes;
(vii) Archelaus' comments on the origin of the teaching of Manes;
(viii) the early life of Manes;
(ix) the death of Manes.

What grabbed me
Again, the reading about Manes was fascinating.

I liked how Archelaus pointed out that there are severe implications if you deny the birth of Christ: 'For if your allegation is true, that He was not born, then it will follow undoubtedly that He did not suffer; for it is not possible for one to suffer who was not also born. But if He did not suffer, then the name of the cross is done away with. And if the cross was not endured, then Jesus did not rise from the dead. And if Jesus rose not from the dead, then no other person will rise again. And if no one shall rise again, then there will be no judgment. For it is certain that, if I am not to rise again, I cannot be judged. But if there is to be no judgment, then the keeping of God's commandments will be to no purpose, and there will be no occasion for abstinence: nay, we may say, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die." For all these consequences follow when you deny that He was born of Mary. But if you acknowledge that He was born of Mary, then His passion will necessarily follow, and His resurrection will be consequent on His passion, and the judgment on His resurrection: and thus the injunctions of Scripture will have their proper value for us. This is not therefore an idle question, but there are the mightiest issues involved in this word.'

Among other doctrines, Christianity is built upon the full humanity of Christ.

Next week's reading
Read the work of Alexander of Lycopolis.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.