#904: Chs. 8B-9, On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius

On the Incarnation concludes. Athanasius talks about the overwhelming power of conversion, and the immense lifestyle and character changes caused by following Christ, not only in residents of the empire, but even in uncivilized tribes.

Then Athanasius bids his reader Macarius farewell, recommending further study of the scriptures, doing what his teachers in the faith tell him, and working to make his life fit — and be fit for — his studies. (Something not much recommended by academia’s scholars today, which may explain a lot about their work.)

19:54.

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#903: Ch. 8A, On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius

On the Incarnation continues. Athanasius refers here to the overwhelming changes made in Roman values at the time of Christ’s coming. He argues that the unheard-of decline of belief in gods, idols, oracles, and magic by unconverted pagans is as much Jesus’ doing.as the amendments in life He causes in His followers.

Furthermore, he is quite sure that the Sign of the Cross and the name of Jesus makes magic stop working, as matter-of-factly as pulling the cord out of the wall makes the TV turn off. In fact, you don’t even have to be a believer to make it happen. “Anyone, too, may put what we have said to the proof of experience in another way. In the very presence of the fraud of demons and the imposture of the oracles and the wonders of magic, let him use the Sign of the Cross which they all mock at, and but speak the Name of Christ, and he shall see how through Him demons are routed, oracles cease, and all magic and witchcraft is confounded.“

Chapter 8A

16:54.

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#902: Chs. 17-18, Bk. 5, Against Heresies by St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Against Heresies continues, with more about the Father as Creator and the Incarnation.

Book 5, Chapters 17-18

18:02.

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