Tag: Popular Patristics Series

On the Unity of Christ by Cyril of Alexandria, John Anthony McGuckin (Translator): A Powerful Dialogue on the Person of Christ

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On October 6, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Cover of On the Unity of Christ by Cyril of AlexandriaOn the Unity of Christ

by Cyril of Alexandria, John Anthony McGuckin (Translator)

DETAILS:
Series: Popular Patristics Series, #13
Publisher: St Vladimir's Seminary Press
Publication Date: March 23, 2005
Format: Paperback
Length: 133 pg.
Read Date: August 25, 2024
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What’s On the Unity of Christ About?

In a dialogue between characters creatively named A and B, Cyril advances–Scripturally, theologically, and philosophically–the classic case against Nestorius and his teachings, advancing what’s now received as the orthodox position on Christ’s nature as the god-man.

Uh, What?

I haven’t read a lot of the books in this series, but of the handful that I have read, this is one that had me scratching my head the most. There were a few times that I just had no idea why Cyril was addressing topics or making a certain argument. Those either were moved on from quickly, or I finally got the point–I don’t think this was a problem on his part–it’s just me not knowing the ins and outs of my Fifth Century theology, particularly the Christological conflicts.

There were even a couple of times where I was following Cyril, but I really didn’t think the argument was that sound or helpful–and both times, my notes tell me that within two pages, I’d come on board (well, largely).

It’s a good reminder that just because someone is a reliable teacher/writer–even an Early Church Father–they’re flawed people (flawed people who’ve had people reading them for centuries, sure). And while the smart thing to do is shut up and learn from them regardless, they still can stumble from time to time. You’ve still got to keep your brain engaged and to test the Spirits.

Tone

Hoo-ee, Cyril did not hold back what he thought of his opponents or those who differed from him:

What nonsense that is. Surely it is the clearest proof of delirious brain.

My goodness. I cannot imagine how stupid and intellectually superficial they must be who hold to such a conceptos. The whole thing is faithlessness and nothing else. It is the novelty of wicked inventions, the overthrowing of the divine and sacred kerygma which has proclaimed One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, truly the Word of God the Father…

who is this serpant who has recently appeared? And what are these idiotic things he ser against the teachings of the truth?

What has happened to their brains and their intelligence—people who hold such opinions?

Do they have anything from the sacred scriptures to demonstrate for us the truth of their doctrine on such matters? Or are they innovating in the faith? “Speaking things from their own hearts and not from the mouth of the Lord,” as it is written (Jer 23:6). Perhaps they find themselves unable to say: “As for me, let me never boast save in the cross of Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).

It’s a different time. It’s a different atmosphere. The stakes (typically) in theological controversy aren’t quite as high for us as they were then. So we don’t usually talk like that. I’m not going to say whether Cyril was right or wrong in that–it’s just too hard to apply different cultural standards.

But let’s put it this way: you know where you stood with him. No doubt. It reminded me of reading Luther, to be honest.

So, what did I think about On the Unity of Christ?

So, I’m obviously not going to get into any kind of critique of Cyril’s thinking or writing–I know my place in history and his (I might get into something closer to that in a few weeks when I talk about a book about Cyril). So, this is focusing on this read.

This is a really easy read given how important it (and Cyril) is in history. The translator (like with the rest of this series) has got to be at least partially responsible for that.

Except for the moments I mentioned above, I had no trouble understanding his points–either what he claimed his opponents taught or his response to it. The text flows easily, the dialogue format helps you track what he’s saying (I don’t always appreciate that style, but I got into it with this).

I enjoyed this, I profited from it, and (if nothing else) it serves as a good motivation to get more from this series.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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On the Apostolic Preaching by Irenaeus of Lyons: A Timeless Survey of Redemptive History

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On April 16, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

On the Apostolic PreachingOn the Apostolic Preaching

by Irenaeus of Lyons , John Behr (Translator)

DETAILS:
Series: Popular Patristics Series, #17
Publisher: St Vladimir's Seminary Press
Publication Date: September 01, 2003
Format: Paperback
Length: 101 pgs.
Read Date: April 2-9, 2023

What’s On the Apostolic Preaching About?

This is one of the two surviving works we have from the Second-Century theologian, Irenaeus. In this work, he simply recounts the Biblical storyline about the promised and coming and then Incarnate Messiah, His Earthly ministry, death, resurrection, and the spread of the Gospel.

I’m really not sure what else to say—he basically summarizes the Scriptures with a focus on Jesus.

Readability

I said essentially the same thing with the last book in this series that I blogged about, but I think it bears repeating.

For just about every reader (at least we non-scholars) the idea of reading Patristics is fairly daunting—even if you’ve done it before and emerged relatively unscathed (and maybe even learned something or enjoyed it). And it probably shouldn’t be that daunting on the whole (am more than sure that there are plenty of examples of intimidating texts).

There’s a reason that this work has endured through the centuries—it’s not just for its historical significance (although I’m sure that’s a lot of it), but this is something that has benefitted believers through the years from all levels of education and experience. There’s no one who can’t read and learn from this.

So, what did I think about On the Apostolic Preaching?

I started off a little annoyed by one of the introductory essays that stated that the first reading

will probably result in surprise and perhaps disappointment. Irenaeus does not present Christianity, in the way we have come to think of it, as a system of theological beliefs. Moreover, very little place is given to the ecclesiastical or sacramental dimensions of Christianity, nor does he describe the mystical life of prayer.

One, I didn’t know what to expect from this—I really only knew “Irenaeus” and “Popular Patristics” when I bought and then opened the book. Secondly, when I discovered what it was, I wasn’t disappointed. This is exactly what I want to see out of a 2nd Century writer—because it’s the kind of thing I appreciate in a 21st Century Writer. It’s reassuring to see that the central idea of what Apostolic Preaching ought to be is pretty much the same for both eras—yeah, some of what Irenaeus wrote could use some fine-tuning (and he’d likely say the same of what shows up in one of the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology volumes I’ve discussed). But their modus operandi are so similar, that it’s clear that they’re walking in the same direction.

I found this to be a quick, approachable read—as relatable today as it had to have been centuries ago (although I guess it’d be safe to say that many of his readers might not be ready to hear what he said in the same way I was). I was very encouraged by this and wish I’d read it years ago so I could be on my fifth or sixth reading now.

Highly recommended.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

On God and Christ by Gregory of Nazianzus: Classic, Orthodox, Passionate

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On June 13, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

On God and Christ

On God and Christ,
The Five Theological
Orations and Two
Letters to Cledonius

by Gregory of Nazianzus, Translators: Frederick Williams & Lionel Wickham
Series: Popular Patristics Series, #23

Paperback, 172 pg.
St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2002

Read: May 2-June 6, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

However, this illustration too was unacceptable to me. First, because it was quite clear what had set the sunbeam in motion, whereas nothing is prior to God to be his mover—he is cause of all and owns no prior cause. Second, because there is in this example a hint of those very things which are inconceivable in the case of God—composition, dispersion, and the lack of a fixed, natural stability. In a word, there is nothing to satisfy my mind when I try to illustrate the mental picture I have, except gratefully taking part of the image and discarding the rest. So, in the end, I resolved that it was best to say “goodbye” to images and shadows, deceptive and utterly inadequate as they are to express the reality. I resolved to keep close to the more truly religious view and rest content with some few words, taking the Spirit as my guide and, in his company and in partnership with him, safeguarding to the end the genuine illumination I had received from him, as I strike out a path through this world. To the best of my powers I will persuade all men to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the single Godhead and power, because to him belong all glory, honor, and might for ever and ever. Amen.

What’s On God and Christ About?

It’s all there in the subtitle, isn’t it? There are five theological orations/sermons and two letters in the book, focusing on the doctrine of the Trinity—with a focus on the person of the Son, and the “begotten” nature. According to the Introduction, these come in response to Anomean teaching—frequently referred to as Neo-Arian, but that’s not wholly accurate (and apparently would be offensive to Anomeans). The Church would formalize the response to the Anomeans in the modification to the Nicene Creed at the Council of Constantinople.

In other words—these sermons and letters are part of what laid the groundwork for that Creed that Christians confess throughout the world each week, and are a great way to come to a fuller understanding of some of what that Creed teaches. This is one of the recommended works from The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott R. Swain that I read earlier this year, and I can easily see why.

Readability and Tone

If there is one God, one supreme nature, where can I find an analogy to show you? Are you looking for one from your environment here in this world? It is a singularly graceless, and not just graceless but a pretty well futile, notion to get a picture of things heavenly from things of earth, of things fixed immutably from this transitory element. As Isaiah says, it is “seeking the living among the dead.”

For just about every reader (at least we non-scholars) the idea of reading Patristics is fairly daunting—even if you’ve done it before and emerged relatively unscathed (and maybe even learned something or enjoyed it). Dealing with a Church Father on something as technical as the Trinity? That’s beyond daunting, we’re talking intimidation now.

But there’s a reason that these sermons have lasted since the Fourth Century, they’re useful, educational, approachable, understandable. The translator calls them “as much high art as high theology,” in his introduction. Which isn’t a bad description, really.

There’s passion, there’s a hint of humor—not to make light of the topic, or to inject levity to entertain—but to serve as an aid to understanding (and to illustrate the foolishness of his opponents). This is a man who cares about what he’s talking about—this is important to him, important to his opponents, important to his audience, and therefore it must be dealt with carefully, with precision, and clearly. All of which translates well to us today.

Sure, because it’s technical Trinitarian language, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to read—but it’s not that bad. I think a careful high schooler could handle it.

So, what did I think about On God and Christ?

How has he been begotten?—I re-utter the question with loathing. God’s begetting ought to have the tribute of our reverent silence, The important point is for you to learn that he has been begotten. As to the way it happens, we shall not concede that even angels, much less you, know that. Shall I tell you the way? It is a way known only to the begetting Father and the begotten Son. Anything beyond this fact is hidden by a cloud and escapes your dull vision.

I am so glad I picked this up—what a treasure. It’s something I’m going to return to in years to come. Both for personal devotional reading as well as for help with tricky Trinitarian theology. I really think this is the kind of thing that everyone should read, and encourage you to give it a shot.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

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