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Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.)
Four Discourses Against the Arians.
Chapter II.—Extracts from the Thalia of Arius. Arius maintains that God became a Father, and the Son was not always the Son out of nothing once He w
Chapter III.—The Importance of the Subject. The Arians affect Scripture language, but their doctrine new, as well as unscriptural. Statement of the Ca
Chapter IV.—That the Son is Eternal and Increate. These attributes, being the points in dispute, are first proved by direct texts of Scripture. Concer
Chapter V.—Subject Continued. Objection, that the Son’s eternity makes Him coordinate with the Father, introduces the subject of His Divine Sonship, a
Chapter VI.—Subject Continued. Third proof of the Son’s eternity, viz. from other titles indicative of His coessentiality as the Creator One of the
Chapter VII.—Objections to the Foregoing Proof. Whether, in the generation of the Son, God made One that was already, or One that was not.
Chapter VIII.—Objections Continued. Whether we may decide the question by the parallel of human sons, which are born later than their parents. No, for
Chapter IX.—Objections Continued. Whether is the Unoriginate one or two? Inconsistent in Arians to use an unscriptural word necessary to define its m
Chapter X.—Objections Continued. How the Word has free will, yet without being alterable. He is unalterable because the Image of the Father, proved fr
Chapter XI.—Texts Explained And First,Phil. II. 9, 10 Various texts which are alleged against the Catholic doctrine: e.g. Phil. ii. 9, 10 . Whether t
Chapter XII.—Texts Explained Secondly, Psalm xlv. 7, 8. Whether the words ‘therefore,’ ‘anointed,’ &c., imply that the Word has been rewarded. Argued
Chapter XIII.—Texts Explained Thirdly, Hebrews i. 4. Additional texts brought as objections e.g. Heb. i. 4 vii. 22 . Whether the word ‘better’ impl
Discourse II.
Chapter XV.—Texts explained Fifthly,Acts ii. 36. The Regula Fidei must be observed made applies to our Lord’s manhood and to His manifestation and
Chapter XVI.—Introductory to Proverbs viii. 22, that the Son is not a Creature. Arian formula, a creature but not as one of the creatures but each cr
Chapter XVII.—Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22continued. Absurdity of supposing a Son or Word created in order to the creation of other creatures as
Chapter XVIII.—Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22continued. Contrast between the Father’s operations immediately and naturally in the Son, instrumental
Chapter XIX.—Texts explained Sixthly,Proverbs viii. 22. Proverbs are of a figurative nature, and must be interpreted as such. We must interpret them,
Chapter XX.—Texts Explained Sixthly, Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Our Lord is said to be created ‘for the works,’ i.e. with a particular purpose, whi
Chapter XXI.—Texts Explained Sixthly, Proverbs viii. 22, Continued. Our Lord not said in Scripture to be ‘created,’ or the works to be ‘begotten.’ ‘I
Chapter XXII.—Texts Explained Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii. 22 Vz. 22–30 It is right to interpret this passage by the Regula Fidei. ‘Founded
Discourse III.
Chapter XXIV.—Texts Explained Eighthly,John xvii. 3. and the Like. Our Lord’s divinity cannot interfere with His Father’s prerogatives, as the One Go
Chapter XXV.—Texts Explained Ninthly, John x. 30 xvii. 11, &c. Arian explanation, that the Son is one with the Father in will and judgment but so a
Chapter XXVI.—Introductory to Texts from the Gospels on the Incarnation. Enumeration of texts still to be explained. Arians compared to the Jews. We m
Chapter XXVII.—Texts Explained Tenthly, Matthew xi. 27 John iii. 35, &c. These texts intended to preclude the Sabellian notion of the Son they fall
Chapter XXVIII.—Texts Explained Eleventhly, Mark xiii. 32 and Luke ii. 52 Arian explanation of the former text is against the Regula Fidei and again
Chapter XXIX.—Texts Explained Twelfthly, Matthew xxvi. 39 John xii. 27, &c. Arian inferences are against the Regula Fidei, as before. He wept and th
Chapter XXX.—Objections continued, as in Chapters vii.—x. Whether the Son is begotten of the Father’s will? This virtually the same as whether once He
Discourse IV.
6. But in answer to the weak and human notion of the Arians, their supposing that the Lord is in want, when He says, ‘Is given unto Me,’ and ‘I receiv
8. Eusebius and his fellows, that is, the Ario-maniacs, ascribing a beginning of being to the Son, yet pretend not to wish Him to have a beginning of
9. ‘I and the Father are One .’ You say that the two things are one, or that the one has two names, or again that the one is divided into two. Now if
11. They fall into the same folly with the Arians for Arians also say that He was created for us, that He might create us, as if God waited till our
13. This perhaps he borrowed from the Stoics, who maintain that their God contracts and again expands with the creation, and then rests without end. F
15. Such absurdities will be the consequence of saying that the Monad is dilated into a Triad. But since those who say so venture to separate Word and
25. Arius then raves in saying that the Son is from nothing, and that once He was not, while Sabellius also raves in saying that the Father is Son, an
26. But that the Son has no beginning of being, but before He was made man was ever with the Father, John makes clear in his first Epistle, writing th
ΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΑΓΙΟΙΣ ΠΑΤΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΕΙΑΣ, ΚΑΤΑ ΑΡΕΙΑΝΩΝ
