How To-Be Made Into The Image Of God
SEE How To Be Made Into The Image Of God The one who knows God has a true and grand view of the universe because he is receptive to divine instruction. When he first heard about God and his loving guidance, he readily believed because he already stood in awe of Creation. Then, once he demonstrated his ability to learn, he became an eager pupil of the Lord. Now he devotes all his energy to learning, doing everything to obtain the knowledge he desires. He understands that the Lord is the one "who teaches man knowledge," as the prophet has said. (Mic. 4:2)
As faith progresses, his desire for investigation increases.
In this way the one who knows God tastes the very will of God. He yields his soul, not just his ears, to the things spoken.
Because he understands the essence and principles of the things spoken, he conforms his soul to what is essential. The one who knows God understands biblical commands in a different way than most people. I'm speaking of commands such as, "Do not commit adultery" and "Do not kill." Others see only the commands, but the one who knows God understands the spirit of the law.'
In accord with what is right, he never prefers the pleasant to the beneficial. This would be true even if he found himself in circumstances where a beautiful woman tried to entice him and wantonly urged him on. For example, Joseph remained steadfast when his master's wife tried to seduce him. As she
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How To Be Made Into The Image Of God Page 93 forcibly held his coat, he left it with her, becoming bare of sin, but clothed with good character. Even though Joseph's Egyptian master could not see what he was doing, the Almighty did. We humans merely hear what people say, and we see their outward appearance. But God examines the source of the words and appearance.
Though sickness, misfortune, and even death come upon the one who knows God, he remains unyielding in his soul.
He knows that these things are a part of earthly life. He also knows that by God's power, they become the instruments of salvation. They bring necessary discipline to those who are difficult to reform. By God's guidance, troubles are distributed according to need.
The one who knows God also enjoys God's creatures. Out of thankfulness to the Creator, he uses them as the Logos determines, and only to the extent he determines.
He never cherishes resentment, and he never harbors a erudge against anyone. This is true even though somebody deserves to be hated for his conduct. But because he worships the Maker, the one who knows God loves such hateful persons. He realizes that even those people are fellow sharers in the gift of [earthly] life. He feels compassion for them because of their ignorance, and he prays for them.
Of course, the one who knows God is still subject to the weaknesses and ailments of the body. In situations he cannot control, he withdraws himself from troubles and goes to the things which really belong to him. So he is not carried away by what is foreign to him. He By God's guidance, only finds room for those : things which are necessary, so troubles are dishis soul is preserved untributed according harmed. For he does not wish to only appear to be faithful. He wants to truly be faithful in word and deed. He not only praises what is noble, but strives to be noble himself. Because to need. of love, he changes from a good and faithful servant into a friend. He continues to perfect the habits he obtained from true instruction and great discipline.
Page 94 The One Who Knows God The one who knows God strives to attain the height of knowledge. His character is sterling. He is composed in his conduct. He possesses all the advantages that belong to the one who knows God. His role models are the many patriarchs who lived ; righteously—and the inHe should consider | yumerable prophets and his marria e inse = angels. But his greatest of P model is the Lord himself, arable from his who not only taught, but love of the Lord. demonstrated, that it is possible for humans to attain that highest life of all. So the one who knows God does not love the good things of the world, even though they are within his grasp. For he does not want to remain on the earth, but desires to attain the things hoped for. (1 John 2:15-17) He endures toils, trials, and afflictions. But his endurance is not like that of the philosophers. They courageously endured suffering in the hope that their present troubles would eventually end. But the one who knows God endures suffering with the conviction that he will receive his future hopes.
So he is above not only the pains of this world but its pleasures as well.
They say that Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced because she was being taken home. He called to her with encouragement and comfort. Addressing her by name, he shouted, "Remember the Lord!" Such was the marriage of the blessed. Such was their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them.
So the apostle says, "He who marries should be as though he was unmarried." (1 Cor. 7:29) He should consider his marriage inseparable from his love of the Lord. His affection for his wife should be subordinate to that of the Lord. That is why Peter could encourage his wife to look forward to her departure from this life to the Lord.
The faithful who suffered for God obviously believed in blessings after death, didn't they? For they gave thanks to
How To Be Made Into The Image Of God Page 95 a ee Oe God even during the worst part of their punishments? Their faith was firm, and it was foilowed by works of faith.
The one who knows God is also prudent in human affairs, judging what should be done by the just man. He received his principles from God, and he patterns himself after the divine image. So he is moderate in both pains and pleasures of the body. He boldly struggles against his fears, trusting in God. His soul is beautified with perfect moral excellence. It is the earthly image of the divine Power. His soul has developed through the joint actions of nature, training, and reason.
When the soul has conformed to the gospel in every facet of life, it becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit. Such a person withstands every type of fear—no matter how terrible. He endures poverty, disease, public disgrace, and even death.
He is unconquered by pleasure, and he is lord over his own fleshly desires. He knows very well which things should be done and which should not. He also knows what to fear, and what not to fear. So he understands what the Logos indicates is necessary. He distinguishes what truly is good from what only appears to be good. And he distinguishes those things that really should be feared from those things most humans commonly fear—such as death, disease, and poverty.
The truly good man is without fleshly desires. He has transcended the whole life of fleshly desires because his soul is now endowed with moral excellence. The good man does not fear those occurrences that are considered terrible by other men, for they are not truly evil. The evil things that should be dreaded are no part of the one who knows God, since they have no part with the good. It is impossible for contrary things to meet in the same person at the same time.
The one who flawlessly acts out the drama of life, which God has given him to play, knows both what is to be accomplished and what is to be endured.
On Martyrdom Doesn't cowardice arise from ignorance of what should and should not be feared? So the only truly courageous man
Page 96 The One Who Knows God is the one who knows God. For he knows both present and future good things. And, as I have said, he also knows which things should not be feared. He knows that evil should be hated. He realizes that it destroys that which brings true knowledge. Therefore, protected by God's armor, he makes war against evil.
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¥ No one who is irrationally brave is a person who knows God. One might call children brave, but they do dangerous things because of ignorance. For example, they often touch fire itself. Likewise, wild beasts that rush up to the points of spears have a brute courage that might be called valiant.
Some people might call acrobats valiant, because they skillfully somersault on swords, performing their tricks for mere monetary gain. ae eee {eS eet sa — oe hae "ate But the truly brave man, seeing the danger from the mob surrounding him, courageously awaits whatever comes.
Some who are called martyrs bring perils upon themselves and purposefully rush into the heart of danger. But the truly brave man sensibly protects himself until God calls him.
Then he promptly surrenders himself and confirms the call, not wanting to be impulsive. He then offers himself to be proved in the exercise of true, rational courage. He does not endure small dangers in order to avoid greater ones. He does not fear criticism from his equals or those of like feelings. But he continues in the confession of his calling. He wi illingly obeys the call out of love for God—not for the sake of reward.
He has no other purpose than pleasing God.
Some people suffer because they want [human] glory.
Others suffer because they fear some worse punishment [from God]. Still others suffer because of their hope of receiving pleasures and delights after death, being clildren in faith.
All of these are blessed, but none of them have yet become mature in the faith. They have not come to know God in the fullest sense. In gymnastic contests, there are crowns for men, and then there are crowns for children. It's the same in the church. Love should be chosen for itself, and for nothing else.
So, along with his knowledge, the one who knows God develops the perfection of fortitude. For he has studied to gain mastery over the flesh.
How To Be Made Into The Image Of God Page 97 Se SSO ART Aa a I 2 SI Being Spiritually Fit In all circumstances, the soul of the one who knows God is strong. It's healthy and robust, like the body of an athlete.
Love makes the spiritual athlete fearless and brave. He is confident in the Lord, for love anoints and trains him.
Righteousness assures truthfulness in his whole life. "Let your yes be yes; and your no, no"—that is the epitome of righteousness.
The same is true of self-control. It should not be practiced for love of honor, the way athletes do for the sake of crowns and fame. Neither should it be practiced for love of money.
Some pretend to exercise self-control, but they pursue what is good only with terrible suffering. Nor does the Christian practice self-control simply for the healthful benefits to the body.
Furthermore, an uncultured man who has never tasted pleasures is not necessarily practicing self-control. Many who have led such lives lose all self-control when they finally taste pleasures for the first time. These are the ones who are only restrained by law and fear. But upon finding a favorable opportunity, they abandon good. But true self-control, desirable for its own sake, is perfected through knowledge.
It is ever enduring, making the man the lord and master of himself. So the one who knows God is moderate and free from fleshly desires. He is incapable of being dissolved by pleasures and pains.
The source of these virtues is love. (Col. 3:14) It is the most sacred and sovereign knowledge of all. By serving what is best and most exalted, love renders the one who knows God into both a friend and a son [of God]. In the soil of truth, love has grown "a perfect man, up to the measure of full stature."
(Eph. 4:13) When two things are in agreement, they become one. The one who knows God, because he loves the one true God, is the only man who is really complete. He is a friend of God and is even made a son. This then is the crowning step for the soul of the one who knows God. He receives this crown-
Page 98 The One Who Knows God ing step only when he has become quite pure and is considered worthy to eternally behold God Almighty "face to face," so to speak. Having become totally spirit-natured, having become of kindred nature to the spirit-natured church, the soul of the one who knows God abides in God's rest. (Heb. 4:9-11) SUMNSary = => ceseents SSS 6a a=
Oaths And Lawsuits The man who has a proven character and is devoted to God is not at all given to lying and swearing. An oath is a very serious affirmation, and it involves taking the Lord's name. So how can such a man, who has been proven faithful, show himself to be unfaithful so as to need an oath? Isn't his very life a sure and decisive oath? By the sure, unwavering way he lives and speaks, he shows that he is truthful. Therefore, the one who knows God will never lie or perjure himself. For to do so would be to wrong God. We can't actually harm God, but we can wrong him.
Another reason he will avoid lying or wrongdoing is so he won't harm his neighbor. For he has learned to love his neighbor. And his "neighbor" includes people who are not his intimate friends. Finally, for his own sake, he avoids lying or breaking an oath. For he surely does not want to wrong himself.
Actually, the one who knows God does not even swear. He prefers to affirm by saying "yes" and to deny by saying "no."
For itis an oath to swear, or to promise in any way resembling an oath. If another person needs to perceive the certainty of his answer, the Christian can simply add to his affirmation or denial the words, "I speak truthfully." At the same time, his life should be lived in such a way that outsiders have complete confidence in him. The result is that unbelievers will feel no need to ask the man of God to take an oath. His
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Page 100 The One Who Knows God life should also inspire good feeling in himself and the people around him. This is voluntary righteousness.
The one who knows God swears truly, but he is not inclined to swear at all. He rarely comes near to an oath, as we have already said. His speaking truth on oath is a result of his agreement with the truth. Speaking the truth on oath is simply a result of correctness in duties. So why would it be necessary for this man to take an oath, since he lives a life in accord with the pinnacle of truth? He, then, who does not even swear will be far from perjuring himself. And he who does not breach his agreements, will never swear. For an agreement is violated or upheld by actions. Lying and perjury in affirming and swearing are wrong. But the one who knows God should live a just life, and he should never fail in his duties. As a result, his actions swear to the truth for him.
Therefore, it is unnecessary for him to swear with his mouth.
The one who knows God is satisfied only with God's consciousness and with his own consciousness. He knows that God is everywhere. He is not afraid to tell the truth, and he knows it is unworthy of him to lie. So he does not lie, and he never does anything contrary to his agreements. And so he does not swear, even when he is asked for his oath. And he never denies what is true, even if he is tortured to death.*
Lawsuits [have said that the one who knows God is free from fleshly desires. By 'advancing in love,' the perfection of the believer
"comes to a perfect man—to the measure of full stature."
(Eph. 4:13) He is assimilated to God and becomes truly angelic. | could continue with many other testimonies from the Scriptures to support this view. But my discourse has become rather long. So it would be better for those who desire to study it more to build on what has been said by selecting additional passages from the Scriptures.
*A Christian could escape torture and death simply by lying and saying he was not a Christian.
Oaths And Lawsuits Page 101 a gs Nevertheless, I will mention one passage [of Scripture] so as to not leave this whole matter without scriptural proof. In the first letter to the Corinthians, the divine apostle says, "If any of you have a dispute against another, do you dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
Don't you know that the saints shall judge the world?" (1 Cor.
622) This section of Scripture from which I have quoted is rather long. So we will simply look at the most pertinent passages to demonstrate the meaning of the apostle's words.
And I will only briefly explain this discourse in which the apostle describes the perfection of the one who knows God.
For he does not characterize this one as someone who merely suffers wrong rather than doing wrong. Rather, he teaches that the one who knows God does not even remember wrongs. In fact, the apostle does not even allow this one to pray against the person who has done wrong to him. The one who knows
God realizes that the Lord specifically said that we should 'pray for our enemies.' (Matt. 5:44) If someone who has been wronged goes to court before the unrighteous, he obviously wishes to retaliate. He shows a desire to injure the other person in return. This means he is also doing wrong himself. The apostle also says that he wishes "some to go to court before the saints." (1 Cor. 6:7,8)
This refers to those who pray that the wrongdoer will suffer punishment for their injustice. He implies that these people are better than those who take the sinners to court. But they are not yet obedient. For they have not become entirely free of resentment. And they are not praying for their enemies.
It is good, then, for them to receive the right attitudes through repentance. And such repentance results in faith.
Evenif the truth seems to attract enemies, it itself is not hostile to any one. "God makes his sun to shine on the just and on the unjust." (Matt. 5:45) And he sent the Lord himself to the just and the unjust. He that strives to be like God must be free of resentment. He forgives seventy times seven times throughout his entire life. His entire earthly course is indicated by the enumeration of sevens. So throughout his life he pardons anyone who has done wrong to him.
Page 102 The One Who Knows God He realizes that the good man should be willing to turn his property over to those who wrong him. Not only that, he knows that the righteous man should ask the judges to pardon the offenses of those who have wronged him. The reason for this is that external things never really belong to the one who knows God. This includes all things that concern only the physical body—even death of the body.
How can a person judge the apostate angels if he himself has become an apostate by not forgiving injuries as the gospel teaches? For the apostle says, "Why do you not rather suffer wrong? Why are you not rather cheated? Yes, you do wrong and cheat" by praying We should regard against those who sin in ignorance. (1 Cor. 6:7,8) You
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te seek to deprive them of the potential brother compassion and goodness s of God. The apostle refers to even though he ts the ones who do you injury not presently in the as "your brothers." By this : term, he is referring both to faith. those in the faith and those who may later be in the faith. For someone who is presently hostile to the faith might eventually become a believer. So the logical conclusion is that we should regard everyone as a potential brother even if he is not presently in the faith.
The one who knows God recognizes all men to be the work of one God. He knows they are all in God's image, even though his image may be seen more clearly in some than in others. He recognizes the work of God in every created person, and again he praises the will of God.
Christian Perfection "Don't you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?"(1 Cor. 6:9) And he who retaliates acts unrighteously. It makes no difference if it is by action, word, or desire. For the gospel addresses even the unspoken desire:
"And this is what some of you were." And those you don't forgive still are such.
"But you are washed."(1 Cor. 6:11) Not just like everyone else, but with knowledge. You have discarded the fleshly desires of the soul to become, as far as is possible, part of the goodness of God's care. You do this by being long-suffering, and by forgiving both the just and the unjust." (Matt. 5:45)
You become like the sun, shining beams of kindliness on others through your words and deeds.
"But you are sanctified."(1 Cor. 6:11) He who has been sanctified is in a condition to be holy. He does not give in to fleshly desires in any way. He behaves as though he were already freed from this body. It is as though he had already grown holy, rising above this earth.
The apostle continues, "For this reason, you are justified in the name of the Lord." (1 Cor. 6:11) God made you to be righteous, just as he is righteous. You are blended as far as possible with the Holy Spirit. "Are not all things lawful to me? Yet I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Cor.
6:12) For you are not to do, think, or speak anything contrary to the Gospel.
Page 104 The One Who Knows God "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats, which God shall destroy." (1 Cor. 6:13) Some people think and live as though they were made for eating. They don't eat simply for the purpose of sustaining life. To obtain knowledge is not their primary goal. Does God not say that these are in a figurative sense the fleshly parts of the holy body? For the church of the Lord, the spiritual and holy choir, is referred to as a body. So those who are merely called Christians, but do not live in accordance with the Word, are the fleshly parts.
Now, this spiritual body, the holy Church, "is not for fornication." Likewise, we are not to apostatize from the gospel by adopting those things that belong to pagan life.
And the one who acts like a pagan in the church, whether in actions, words, or thoughts, comGod made you mits fornication both as to the } church and as to his own body. If to be righteous, his conduct is contrary to the inst as he is covenant, he "is joined to the harJ < lot." (1 Cor. 6:15) He thereby berighteous. comes another "body"—one that is not holy. He becomes "one flesh" with something else, living a pagan life and having a different hope. "But he who is joined to the Lord in spirit" becomes a spiritual body by a different kind of union.
The one joined to the Lord is fully a son. He is a holy man—one who knows God. He is formed by the teaching of the Lord and is perfect, without fleshly desires. In deed, in word, and in spirit itself, he is being brought close to the Lord.
Because he has reached spiritual manhood in this manner, he will receive the mansion that is due to him.
Those who partake of this knowledge will understand how it was said by the Lord, "Be perfect as your Father, perfectly." (Matt. 5:48) We call physicians and philosophers
"perfect," don't we? So, likewise, we can call one who knows God "perfect." We become perfect by forgiving sins, forgetting injuries, and living free of fleshly desires every day.
However, although all of these things are important, none of them put us on the same plane as God. The Stoics irreverently eav that virtie in man and (Cod je the eame Riutwuso dan't car
Christian Perfection Page 105 this. Should we not be perfect, as the Father wills? For it is utterly impossible for any one to become perfect as God is.
The Father wishes us to be perfect by living blamelessly, being obedient to the Gospel.
Women Who Know God It is possible for man and woman to share equally in this perfection of which I'm speaking. For example, Judith became perfect among women. When her city was under siege, she went into the enemy camp, at the entreaty of the elders. She scorned all danger for her country's sake. She gave herself into the enemy's hand in faithin God. And she soon obtained the reward of her faith. Though she was a woman, she prevailed over the enemy of her religion. And she was able to take the head of Holofernes.'
Esther is another example of one who was made perfect by faith. She rescued Israel from the power of the king and the cruelty of the satrap. Although she was a lone woman, weak from fasting, she held back ten thousand armed hands. By her faith, she had the tyrant's decree annulled. She appeased the king and restrained Haman. By her perfect prayer to God, she preserved Israel unscathed.
Look also at Susanna and [Miriam], the sister of Moses.
[Miriam] was the prophet's companion in commanding the multitude. She was superior to all the women among the Hebrews who were renowned for their wisdom. As for Susanna, in her surpassing modesty she remained the unwavering martyr of chastity. She went to death, condemned by wanton admirers."
'Erom the Book of Judith, one of the works included in the Septuagint, which was the Old Testament of the early church. The Book of Judith was included in the original
King James Version. si "The account of Susanna appears at the beginning of the Book of Daniel in the Septuagint.
Women Who Know God Page 107 a ere Women Of Wisdom The wise woman will first choose to persuade her husband to join her in what leads to [true] happiness. But if he does not join her, let her earnestly pursue moral excellence by herself. Yet, she should gain her husband's consent in everything, so as never to do anything against his will. The only exception would be those things that lead to righteousness and salvation. And a man should not keep either his wife or a maid servant from such a way of life. For to do so would be to drive her away from righteousness and sober-mindedness. In effect, he would be choosing to make his own house wicked and morally unrestrained.
In order to be familiar with anything, a man or woman must first be taught, trained, and then given the opportunity to put the things learned into practice. And, as I have said, moral excellence depends on ourselves above all—not on others. Nobody else can suppress those things that depend on ourselves—no matter how hard they try. For the gift is one conferred by God. It is not in the power of any other. So it should be understood that the morally unrestrained person is the cause of his own evil. He cannot blame it on someone else.' Likewise, the person who is able to exercise self-control is responsible for his own good conduct.
Christian Marriage Marriage is sanctified only when it meets certain conditions. First, it must be consummated according to the word.
Secondly, the marriage union must be submissive to God.
Finally, the married couple must live "with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having hearts that have been showered from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water, and holding the confession of hope; for he is faithful that promised." (Heb. 10:22,23)
The happiness of a marriage should never be measured by either wealth or beauty. Instead, it should be measured by moral excellence. As a certain playwright said, "Beauty helps no wife with her husband. But virtue has helped many. For
Page 108 The One Who Knows God every good wife who is attached to her husband knows how to practice moderation."
The Role Of The Wife Who Knows God Fittingly, the Scripture has said that woman is given by God as "a help" to man. A husband may have some annoying faults that affect the harmony of the marriage.
If so, the wife should try to remedy these annoyances by using good sense and persuasion. But if her husband does not yield, then she should, nevertheless, try to lead a sinless life, to the extent humanly possible. For she realizes that God is her helper and her companion in such a course of conduct. He is her true Defender and her
Saviour—in both the present and the future. So she should make God her leader and the guide for all her actions. She should consider sober-mindedness and righteousness her work. Her life's goal is to incur the favor of God. That is so whether it be necessary to die or to live.
Gracefully, the apostle says in the letter to Titus, "The older women should be of godly behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine. They should counsel the young women to be lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children, discreet, chaste, housekeepers, good, subject to their own husbands; that the word of God is not blasphemed." (Tit. 2:3-5) And, then, as if putting the finishing touch to the matter of marriage, he adds: "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but God will judge whoremongers and adulterers." (Heb. 13:4)
As far as perfection is concerned, there is the same goal and the same end for both man and woman. Peter speaks equally to both in his letter, saying, "Though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than that of gold which perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ; whom, having not seen, you love;inwhom, though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with unspeakable j joy, and full of glory, receiving
Women Who Know God Page 109 the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Pet.
1:6-9)
Searching For Truth Now I'm going to respond to the objections that the Greeks and Jews make. They say they shouldn't believe [in Christ] because different Christian sects teach conflicting things. For, as they point out, the truth is warped when some teach one set of beliefs and others teach another set.
My response is that quite a few sects have also sprung up among the Jews. And the same is true of the most famous schools of Greek philosophy. Yet the Jews and philosophers don't think anyone should hesitate to become a Jew or a philosopher just because of these conflicting sects. Furthermore, the Lord foretold that heresies would be sown among the truth like "weeds among the wheat." (Matt. 13:24)
And what the Lord predicted must take place. All good things are invariably stained by some foul blot. For example, someone may violate his commitment and leave the faith.
Should we forsake the truth simply because he has failed to live up to his beliefs? No, but a good man keeps his promises, even though others may not do so. In the same way, we are obligated to not transgress the rule of the church in any way.
We particularly hold to our profession [of Christianity] in those points that are most essential. But the heretics transgress those things. So the Jews and Greeks should believe only those [Christians] who hold firmly to the truth.
To illustrate, physicians hold conflicting opinions. Yet they still all treat patients. If someone is ill and needs treatment, lO}
Searching For Truth Page 111 does he refuse to go to the doctor because of the differing schools of medicine? Of course not!" In the same way, he who is sick in soul and who worships idols can't use the existence of heretical sects as an excuse to delay turning to God and receiving treatment for his [soul's] health.
Moreover, it was said that "heresies exist on account of those that are approved." (1 Cor. 11:19) By "approved," [the apostle] means those who apply the teaching of the Lord with discrimination. To illustrate, money-changers are not considered "approved" unless they can distinguish real money from counterfeit.
For this reason, it requires great attention and consideration to investigate how we should live. And to determine what is true righteousness. The very fact that truth is difficult to grasp causes people to ask questions. And from such questions, heresies spring up. (1 Tim. 6:3,4)) The teachers of heresies are those who have not accurately learned or understood. They have only the semblance of knowledge. Self-love and vanity are their trademarks.
So the real truth should be examined with great care. Only real truth searches for the true God. But the toil for truth is followed by sweetness of discovery and contemplation.
We must undertake the toil of discovery because of these heresies. And we must never abandon this quest. Suppose someone set before you a bowl of fruit. And suppose some of the fruit was real but the rest was actually made of wax— even though it looked real. Would you refuse to eat either kind of fruit just because it was not easy to tell the two apart?
In the same way, [when eating from the bowl of truth], we must distinguish the true from the counterfeit. We do this by exercising understanding through contemplation and by deep reasoning.
To use another illustration, there is only one royal highway. But there are many other types of highways. Some lead to the edge of a cliff. Others lead to a rushing river or to a deep sea. Yet, no one refuses to travel simply because of this diversity of roads. Instead, they make use of the royal road, which is safe and well-traveled. Likewise, though some say
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Scripture: The Basis Of Truth There are many people who are ready to strive after the most excellent pursuits. Such people will not stop searching for truth until they get the proof from the Scriptures themselves. For the Scriptures are the basis of truth.'
To abandon mere human opinion is a great thing. But it is essential to choose accurate knowledge over the false wisdom of human opinion. If you desire eternal rest, you should know that the entrance to it is narrow. And it requires toil to enter it. (Matt. 7:14) When someone receives the Gospel, he should not turn back, like Lot's wife.
He should not return to his former life, which clinged to sensual things. Neither should he go back to heresies. "For he that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me." (Matt. 10:37)
Those words were spoken by the father and teacher of the truth, who regenerates old things and creates new things.
He also nourishes those souls that are chosen.
His words mean that those who turn back are unworthy to be a son, disciple, or friend of God. "For no man who puts his hand to the plow, and then looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke
9:62) Even down to our own time, many think that Mary was in the childbearing state on account of the birth of her child. But she was not. For some say that, after she gave
Page 114 The One Who Knows God birth [to Jesus], she was examined and found to [still] be a virgin.* The Scriptures of the Lord are like that to us. They gave birth to the truth, but they remain virgin in the concealment of the mysteries of truth. The Scripture says, "And she brought forth; yet she did not bring forth." For she [Mary] conceived by herself, and not from joining with another.
Those who know God recognize that the Scriptures have brought forth [truth]. But the heretics, not having learned the Scriptures, dismiss the Scriptures as not giving birth to [truth].
Some men let the Word speak, and they build proofs from it. Others, however, give themselves up to pleasures. They distort Scripture to agree with their lusts. (2 Pet. 3:16) So I think the lover of truth needs force of soul. For those who attempt the greatest things often fail. To succeed, they must follow the rule of truth and cleave to the truth.
He who has rejected the beliefs handed down by the church and has darted off to the opinions of heretical men, has ceased to be a man of God. He is like those mythical men who became beasts after being drugged by Circe. He has ceased to remain faithful to the Lord. But, if upon hearing the Scriptures, he leaves this deception and turns to the truth, then he is like those in the myths who were changed from men into gods.
Christ Teaches Through The Scriptures The source of our teaching is the Lord. He teaches through the prophets, the Gospel, and the blessed apostles. He teaches us "in various ways and at various times," leading us from the beginning of knowledge to the end. (Heb. 1:1) If anyone should think that another source is necessary, then the true source could no longer be preserved.
He who believes the Scriptures and the voice of the Lord is justly [regarded as] faithful. We use it as the criterion to *Some early Christians believ ed that Mary remained a virgin her entire life and Pt, a a eeeen a is Cea ey 1) (mews eee aes se catesey = A | SRY nee ne Ws ing Se ee POPC |
Scripture: The Basis Of Truth Page 115 a ee discover [the truth of] things. Things that need to be subjected to examination are not believed until they have been so examined. Anything falling into this category cannot be a "first principle." So logically, the "first principle" surpasses demonstration and must be grasped by faith. At the same time, we abundantly receive demonstrations in reference to the first principle. We are thereby trained by the voice of the Lord in the knowledge of the truth.
We should not give our loyalty to men simply on the basis of their bare statements. For tomorrow they might state the opposite of what they're telling us now. So when a statement must be confirmed, we can't confirm it from men's testimony.
Instead, we must verify it by the voice of the Lord. For it is the surest of all proofs. In fact, it's the only proof.
Those who have merely tasted the Scriptures are the ones I call simple "believers." But those who have advanced further and have become accurate teachers of the truth, I designate as "the ones who know God." To illustrate from everyday life, craftsmen are superior to unskilled people.
Craftsmen create things that surpass ordinary ideas.
Likewise, we can convince others by supplying proof in faith from the Scriptures. We do this by giving a thorough explanation of individual Scripture passages from the rest of the Scriptures themselves.
How Heretics Misuse The Scriptures Sometimes heretics quote from the prophetic Scriptures, but they misuse them in several ways. First, they don't make use of all the Scriptures. Secondly, when they do cite a passage, they don't quote it in its entirety. Thirdly, they quote prophetic statements out of context. Furthermore, they like to select ambiguous passages, so they can distort them to agree with their own opinions. Finally, they gather a few expressions here and there, not looking to the meaning, but making use of the mere words, while altering the meaning.
But truth is not found by twisting the meanings [of Scripture]. Doing violence to the Scriptures is no way to establish one's teachings. Yet, people have used this method to corrupt
Page 116 The One Who Knows God all true teaching. However, to find truth, a person must consider what perfectly belongs to the Sovereign God and what is becoming to him. One must also establish the meaning of any particular Scripture passage by using other similar passages from Scripture.
In contrast, heretics do not want to turn to the truth. That's because they don't want to abandon the claims that self-love makes on them. When they promote false teachings to men, they are plainly fighting against almost the whole body of Scripture. Those of us who challenge them are constantly proving them to be in error. So they disparage us, saying that we are of a different nature. They say we are unable to understand those things that have been specially [revealed] to them.
However, we overturn their teachings by clearly showing that their doctrines contradict the Scriptures. They then do one of two things: First, they often contradict their own teachings. They sometimes falsely deny that they have taught certain things. So they are ashamed to admit publicly what they pride themselves on teaching in private. When one examines the error of heretical teachings, he finds that this is true of all of them. Secondly, they simply reject the prophecies [of Scripture. ] Ineffect, they reject their only hope.
They invariably prefer their teachings over that spoken by the Lord through the prophets and the Gospel, which has been confirmed by the apostles.
Although they read the books [of Scripture] that we have readily at hand, they reject them as useless. In their eagerness to surpass common faith, they have departed from the truth.
They go to the height of irreverence—disbelieving the Scriptures themselves. They would rather do this than to be removed from their positions of honor in their heresies and the coveted first seat in their churches. For the same reason, they eagerly embrace the prominent couch of honor in their falsely-called love feasts.
The knowledge of truth among us from what we already believe generates faith in what we do not yet believe. This faith is the essence of proof. But it seems that no heresy is able to hear
Scripture: The Basis Of Truth Page 117 what is worthwhile, but only what is pleasirable. Nevertheless, if any heretic would only obey the truth, he would be healed.
As is true with most illnesses, the cure for pride is threefold. First the cause of pride must be diagnosed. Then the type of treatment must be ascertained. Finally, the soul must be disciplined [to prevent pride from developing again].
When a soul is perverted by unnatural teachings, it is like a diseased eye. Because it cannot clearly see the light of truth, it overlooks the obvious.
They say that eels are caught in muddy water, where they are unable to see. Just as mischievous boys sometimes lock their teacher out of the school building, heretics shut out the prophecies from their church. They regard them with suspicion because of the rebuke and admonition contained in them. They sew together a multitude of lies and illusions.
So it looks like they are only acting reasonably in rejecting the Scriptures. They are not righteous because they don't like
God's commands. In other words, they don't like the Holy Spirit.
They are like empty almonds.' When people say that an almond is "empty," they don't mean that there is nothing inside. Rather, they mean that the contents are worthless. In the same way, we say that heretics are "empty" because they are devoid of the counsels of God and of the traditions of Christ. Their doctrines are bitter, like the wild almond. For the most part, they create their own teachings, except for certain truths they are unable to discard or hide because the truths are too evident.
Medicine For The Soul In a war, a soldier must not leave the post his commander has assigned him. Likewise, we must not desert the post the Logos has assigned us. For we have received him as the guide of knowledge and life. But most people have never inquired if there is One we ought to follow. They never ask who he is or how he is to be followed. The believer's life must be like the Logos, so as to be able to follow God. For God brings everything from the beginning to the end by the right course.
When a Christian sins against the Logos, he is thereby sinning against God. Sometimes a Christian sins because of a sudden outside influence that has made him powerless. If so, he should be careful to have the influence of sound teaching at hand. But in some cases, the Christian has actually become "ordinary" again, as the Scripture says. This happens when he is regularly overcome by the habits which formerly controlled him. In that case, he must completely stop those habits and discipline his soul to oppose them.
If conflicting teachings draw some away from the faith, these stumbling blocks should be removed. In such a situation, the one who is having doubts should go to a teacher in the church who is skilled at reconciling doctrines. The teacher will be able to explain the truth by showing the link between the two Testaments.* By *The Gnostics generally rejected the Old Testament as being the work of a different God than that of the New Testament.
Medicine For The Soul Page 119 ee Oe using the power of the Scriptures he will be able to restore the unsteady who are timid in the faith.
We humans seem to be attracted to ideas based on human opinions, rather than to those based on the truth. This is so even when the human opinions are contradictory. The reason humans reject the truth is that it is morally strict and solemn.
There are three states of the soul: ignorance, opinion, and knowledge. The Gentiles are in the state of ignorance. The heretics are in the state of opinion. They actually despise and laugh at each other. For the same opinion may be honored by some and condemned as insane by others. But the true church is in the state of knowledge. Sensuousness is characteristic of the Gentiles. Quarreling is characteristic of the heretical sects. Joy is characteristic of the church. And ecstasy is characteristic of the one who knows God.
If a person wants to become a poet, he studies Homer, so he can become like Homer. If he wants to become an orator, he studies Demosthenes, so he can become like Demosthenes. Similarly, he who listens to the Lord and follows the prophecy given by him will be formed perfectly in the likeness of the Teacher—becoming divine although walking in the flesh. (2 Pet. 1:4) But those who do not follow God wherever he leads fall from this lofty place. And God leads us in the inspired Scriptures.
Causes Of Sin Though men's actions are ten thousand in number, there are only two sources of all sin: ignorance and inability. Both of these depend on ourselves. Either we will not learn, or we will not restrain our lust. If one does not learn, he does not judge well. If he does not restrain his lust, he cannot comply with right judgments. If someone is deceived in his mind, he will be unable to act correctly, even though he is quite capable of doing what he mistakenly knows. Another man may be capable of judging what is required of him, but he will not stay pure if he does not have the power to do what is right.
So there are two remedies to sin. The first type of sin needs knowledge and clear proof from the testimony of the Scrip-
Page 120 The One Who Knows God tures. The other type of sin needs the training according to the Logos. This training is regulated by the discipline of faith and fear. Both disciplines develop into perfect love. The completeness of the one who knows God is twofold: Jt is part contemplation of knowledge, and it is part action.
I wish the heretics would learn from these notes, and turn to the sovereign God! But if they, like deaf serpents, will not listen to this new song [of Christianity]—which is really very old—I pray that God will chastise them. I pray that they will receive enough fatherly rebuke now—before the Judgment— so they will become ashamed and repent.
How God Disciplines Partial corrections are called chastisements. Many of us who have been in transgression have incurred this, by falling away from the Lord's people. As children are chastised by their teacher, or by their father, so we are chastised by God.
God does not punish us, because punishment is retaliation for evil. Rather, God chastises for the good of those in error, whether individually or collectively.
I write these things in order to persuade and lead to the truth those who are not entirely incurable. Some, however, cannot bear to listen to those who urge them to turn to the truth. They ridicule and blaspheme the truth. They claim they have knowledge of the greatest things in the universe, without having learned, inquired, labored, or discovered how to even think straight. But we should have compassion on them rather than hating them for their obstinacy.
If one is curable, let him listen with the ears of his soul. For he is able to bear the frankness of the truth, which cuts away and burns false opinions. But some crave glory. So they use various arguments to willingly evade the things delivered by the blessed apostles and teachers. The things delivered by the apostles are wedded to inspired words. However, heretics establish their false doctrines by using /iuman teaching to oppose divine tradition.
However, the one who knows God has matured in the Scriptures. He maintains apostolic doctrines and the or-
Medicine For The Soul Page 121 ee a ee thodox teachings of the church. He truly lives in agreement with the gospel. He has discovered the proofs he sought from the Law and the Prophets. His life is nothing but deeds and words corresponding to the tradition of the Lord.
However, the apostle says, "All do not have knowledge.
For I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, that all were under the cloud, and partook of spiritual meat and Gnink." (1:Cor: 1'0:1,3,4) He clearThe one who ly establishes that all who heard the word did not grasp the magknows God has | nitude of Chanicae in speech a matured in the deed. Therefore, he added, "He was not well pleased with all of them." (Luke 6:46) Who was not pleased? The same one who said, "Why do you call me Lord, and do not do the will of my
Father?" (Matt. 7:21) That is the Savior's teaching, which is spiritual food to us. It is the water of knowing God, which eternally quenches thirst.
Scriptures.
Does Knowledge Puff Up?
But someone may say, "Knowledge is said 'to puff up." (1 Cor. 8:1) To which I reply, "Falsely-called knowledge puffs up." That is, if we suppose the expression means "to be inflated with pride." However, I think the expression of the apostle actually means "to entertain great and true sentiments." This solves the difficulty.
Using the Scriptures, let's establish what has been said.
Solomon says, "Wisdom has inflated her children." Does this mean that wisdom inflates with pride?' Of course, not!' The teachings of the Lord do not cause egotism. Instead, they produce trust in the truth. They expand the mind through knowledge revealed in Scripture. They produce contempt for the things that drag us into sin. This is the meaning of the expression, "inflated." It teaches the splendor of wisdom, which is implanted in her children by instruction. The apostle says, "I will not know the speech of those that are puffed up, but the power." (1 Cor. 4:19) The power of the children of
Page 122 The One Who Knows God wisdom, who are "inflated," lies in correctly understanding the Scriptures. He says, as it were, "I shall know if you rightly entertain great thoughts respecting knowledge."
David says that "God is known in Judea," referring to those who are Israelites according to knowledge. Judea is interpreted "Confession." The apostle stated it correctly,
"You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not covet. And if there is any other commandment, it is fulfilled in this command, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Rom. 13:9) We must never pervert the truth, like those who follow heresies. Nor should we steal the canon of the church by gratifying our own lusts and vanity. Nor do we cheat our neighbors. For it is our duty above all, in showing love to our neighbors, to teach them to cling to the truth. Accordingly, it is clearly said, "Declare among the pagans his statutes." We do this so they will not be judged, but that those who listen will be converted. In this way, they too can come to know
God."