(Rom 1:18). Whose, if not that of both Jews and Gentiles? But in case it should
SERMON 197
AGAINST THE PAGANS, ON 1 JANUARY: FRAGMENTS, FROM A SELECTION OF
TEXTS ON PAUL COMPILED BY BEDE AND FLORUS
Date: before 400]
From creature to Creator
1. For the wrath of God is being revealedfrom heaven against all ungodliness (Rom 1:18). Whose, if not that of both Jews and Gentiles? But in case it should be said, "Why against the ungodliness of the Gentiles? After all, the Gentiles never received the law and became transgressors of it.2 The wrath of God is rightly revealed against the Jews to whom the law was given, and who were unwilling to keep it. But it wasn't given to the Gentiles": consider carefully, brothers and sisters, what he says, and understand how he shows that all are guilty, and all in need of salvation and of God's mercy.3 For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and injustice of those people who hold down the truth in iniquity. Notice how he didn't say they do not have the truth, but they hold down the truth, he says, in iniquity.
And as though you were to ask and say, "How can they have the truth, if they didn't receive the law?" he continues: because what is known of God is manifest among them. And how could what is known of God be manifest among them, if they didn't receive the law? He continues, and says, For his invisible things can be contemplated from the creation of the world, being perceived through the things that have been made; as also his power and divinity (Rom 1:19-20) being perceived can be contemplated, he means, of course. Why, I mean to say, should you look at the works, and not look for the workman? You look at the earth bearing fruit, you look at the sea full of its animals, you look at the air full of flying creatures, you look at the sky bright with stars, and all the rest, and you don't look for the skilled producer of such a great work?
But you answer me, "I can see these things, I can't see him. " For seeing these things he gave you the eyes in your head; for seeing himself, he gave you a mind. After all you can t even see the soul of a person. So just as from the movements and control of the body you perceive the soul, which you cannot see, in the same way perceive the creator from the control of the whole world and from the guidance of souls themselves.4 But it's not enough merely to perceive; because
SERMON 197 69 they did perceive, and notice what the apostle says: Because knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, or give thanks to him; but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. For what other reason, but pride? Because just notice what follows: For by asserting they were wise, he says, they became foolish (Rom 1:21-22). They ought not, you see, to arrogate to themselves what he had granted them, nor to boast about what they had got from him, not from themselves. They should, of course, give him the credit, so that in order to keep hold of what they have been able to see, they might be cured by the one who enabled them to see. Because if they did this, they would preserve humility, and be able to be purified, and so continue to enjoy that most blissful contemplation.5
But because there was that pride in them, that self-deceiving and deceitful and proud being6 intruded himself, with ready promises that their souls could be purified by their playing goodness knows what proud parts;7 and thus he made them into worshipers of demons. That's the origin of all the sacred rites cele¬ brated by the pagans, which they claim are effective for purifying their souls. And listen to the things the apostle goes on to say next, because they are what they received as the reward for their pride; because they did not honor God as God should be honored. And they changed the glory of the imperishable God into the likeness of the image of perishable man. So now we have idols. And these to be sure are the ones of all the Greeks and the other nations, which resemble human beings. But in fact there is no more monstrous and superstitious idolatry than that of the Egyptians; because Egypt flooded the world with the kind of fabrications the apostle goes on to mention. After saying into the likeness of the image of perishable man, he added, and of birds, and quadrupeds and reptiles. I ask you, brothers and sisters, have you ever seen idols in other temples with heads of dogs or bulls, or reproductions of other irrational animals? These, you see, are the idols of the Egyptians. So it is to include both sorts that the apostle says, into the likeness of the image of perishable man, and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles. That is why God handed them over to the desires of their hearts, to impurity; so that they would treat their bodies with abuse among themselves (Rom 1:23-24).
These evil deeds of theirs stem from their ungodly pride. But because these sins come from pride, they are not only sins, but punishments as well. You see, when he says God handed them over, it means it's now the retribution for some sin, that they should do these things who changed the truth of God into a lie. What does it mean, they changed the truth of God into a lie? Into the likeness, namely, of the image of perishable man, and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles. And in case any of them should say, "I don't worship idols, but what idols represent," he immediately added, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator (Rom 1:25). Get this straight: either, you see, they worship an idol, or a creature. Whoever worships an idol is changing the truth of God into a lie. Because the sea is a truth; but Neptune is a lie made by man, a truth of God turned into a lie; because God made the sea, while man made the idol of Neptune.8 In the same way, God made the sun; while man, by making