The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures: These Words are the Word of God [Ecumenical]

The early church Fathers on the Scriptures

These words are the Word of God
by Origen, c. 185-254
The Scriptures that prophesy about Christ, the words that announce his coming and his teaching are inspired by God. They were proclaimed with power and authority and it is for this reason they have conquered so many people's hearts.
However, only with the coming of Christ have the divine character of the prophetic writings and the spiritual meaning of the books of the Mosaic Law become apparent. Before Christ it was not possible t produce decisive arguments for the inspiration of the Old Testament. The coming of Jesus persuaded even the doubtful that those pages were written under the influence of grace.
Whoever reads the Prophets carefully will be convinced that they are no human achievement. The reader will understand the meaning of divine inspiration.
As far as the books of the Mosaic Law are concerned, a veil has been drawn between their brightness and people's understanding. The coming of Jesus has made that light shine in such a way that I has become possible to recognize clearly those future benefits at which the literal meaning of those books only hinted. (Cf. 2 Cor. 3:12-18; Heb. 10:1).
It would take a long time to review the ancient prophecies of events that would be realized int he future. But someone in doubt who did this would be struck by their divine character. He would give up all his uncertainty and dedicate himself to he Word of God with all his soul.
(Translation by Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: A Patristic Breviary, Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo, MI - Spencer, MASS, 1994)

No theological school-Catholic or Protestant-can afford to ignore Patristics. If nothing else the Fathers are the root and foundation of New Testament commentary (and of course much more, but I am making a minimalist argument). Unfortunately many ignore them, or worse.

As for the Greek Fathers, without St. Athanasius we would not have the Nicene creed; that is no small thing. We owe him a debt at least as big as that which we owe to Augustine. An Arian church would have been every bit as unrecognizable as a Pelagian church.

I would probably say every person who is a Christian believes in the inspiration and infallibility of scripture. I would equally say that a person who does not believe in the inspiration and infallibility of scripture should look to their salvation.

I just found Origen's statement:

Before Christ it was not possible to produce decisive arguments for the inspiration of the Old Testament.

rather curious. Origen at times held some strange views but this was not uncommon for the early church fathers who were trying to piece together their theology into a coherent understanding. But I would have thought the early fathers would have recognized the inspiration of the Old Testament was well established by our Jewish fathers before the time of Christ. I suspect Origen is saying something that simply is not clicking with me.

Just think if we could have a President at least like Lincoln, who would faint if he read the Revealing Statistics page above that one, quantifying costs of the War against God.

But until the born again evangelical church seeks God like once did, rather than being at ease in Zion - and i need to do more - then the country is doomed. But the body of Christ and the country are not the same thing, and the latter can go to dust while a remnant shall be saved

I almost wrote that in my response.

Pertinent texts:

“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” (Hosea 5:15)

“Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.” (Hosea 8:3-4)

“I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.” (Hosea 8:12)

“And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.” (2 Chronicles 34:15)

“Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.” (2 Chronicles 34:18-19)

“Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.” (2 Chronicles 34:21)

The scriptures are the supreme standard for truth and obedience, but America (we) has turned to lying vanities, forsaking her own mercy. (cf. Jonah 2:8)

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