THE CHRISTIAN FATHERS:

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 October 1883, Page 3

THE CHRISTIAN FATHERS:

Their own testimony, showing their qualifications as men capable of weiirhine evidence.

CLEMENT (A.D., CIRCA. 79.)

Reason given for a future resurrection:—“ Let us consider that wonderful sign that takes place in Eastern lands—that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a Phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives 500 years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincese and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these, it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspecft the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the 500th year was completed.” (Ist Epistle of Clement, chap. xxv). [The same tale is mentioned by Tertullian (died a.d. 220) and Cyril of Jerusalem (died a.d. 380.]

BARNABAS (COMPANION OF THE APOSTLES) Deals with the directions of Moses as to clean and unclean animals. “ ‘ Thou shalt not eat the hyzena ’ . . . . Wherefore? Because that animal annually changes its sex, and is at one time male and at another female. Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel, . . . . For this animal conceives by the mouth. Behold how well Moses has legislated.” (Epistle of Barnabas, chap. x.).

“ ‘ And Abraham circumcised ten and eight and three hundred men of his household.’ What then was the knowledge given to him in this ? Learn the eighteen first, and then the three hundred. The ten and the eight are thus denotedten by I, and eight by H. You have Jesus. And because the Cross was to express the grace by the T, he says also Three Hundred. He signifies, therefore, Jesus by two letters, and the Cross by one No one has been admitted by me to a more excellent piece of knowledge than this, but I know ye are worthy. (Ibid, chap. ix).

IGNATIUS (DIED A.D. IO7). The star of Bethlehem. “ A star shone forth in Heaven above all other stars, and the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star. (Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. xix.).

ORIGEN (died A.D. 254.) “ I have this further to say to the Greeks who will not believe that our Saviour was born of a virgin : that the Creator of the world, if he pleases, can make every animal bring forth its young in the same wonderful manner. As, for instance, the vultures propagate their kind in this uncommon way, as the best writers of natural history do acquaint us.” (Chap, xxxiii, quoted in Diegesis, p. 319.)

IREN.EUS (DIED A.D. 202.) “ John related the words of the Lord concerning the times of the Kingdom of God : the clays would come when vines would grow, each with 10,000 shoots, and to each shoot 10,000 branches, and to each branch 10,000 twigs, and to each twig 10.000 clusters, and to each cluster 10,000 grapes, and each grape which is crushed will yield twenty-five measures of wine. And when one of the saints will reach after these clusters another will cry: ‘ I am a better cluster than thou; take me and praise the Lord because of me.’ Likewise a grain of wheat will produce 10,000 ears, each ear 10,000 grains, each grain lolbs of white flour. Other fruits, and seeds, and herbs in proportion. The whole brute creation, feeding on such things as the earth brings forth, will become sociable and peaceable together, and subjedt to man with all humility.” (Quoted in Keim’s “ Jesus of Nazara,” p. 45,)

ST. AUGUSTINE (DIED A.D. 430.) “He himself, being at that time Bishop of Hippo Regius, had preached the Gospel of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to a whole nation of men and women that had no heads, but had their eyes in their bosoms; and in countries still more southerly he preached to a nation among whom each individual had but one eye, and that situate in the middle of the forehead. (“ Syntagma,” p. 33 ; quoted in “ Diegesis,” P- 257-)