And not even now persuade we by argumentation; but from the Divine Scriptures and from the miracles done at that time we produce the proof of what we say. —St. John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
St. John is contrasting "argumentation," not with "from the Divine Scriptures ALONE" but with "the Divine Scriptures AND from the miracles done at that time." This is sufficient to dismiss "sola Scriptura." WRT the "at that time," you neglect to note that he goes on to say, "... if signs be what thou seekest after, even now thou mayest see signs, although not of the same kind; the numberless predictions and on an endless variety of subject: the conversion of the world, the self-denying course of the Barbarians, the change from savage customs, the greater intenseness of piety."
Father, you buck the fathers themselves when you seek to dismiss "by Scripture alone." You know better than that. Even the isolated passage you love to cite from St. Basil doesn't stand against the numerous other places that great father teaches about Scripture alone.
As for THIS father, well, take to heart his words in another passage: "“Regarding the things I say, I should supply even the proofs, so I will not seem to rely on my own opinions, but rather, prove them with Scripture, so that the matter will remain certain and steadfast.” (Homily 8 On Repentance and the Church, p. 118, vol. 96 TFOTC) or this one: "There comes a heathen and says, 'I wish to become a Christian, but I know not whom to join: there is much fighting and faction among you, much confusion: which doctrine am I to choose?' How shall we answer him? 'Each of you (says he) asserts, I speak the truth.' No doubt: this is in our favor. For if we told you to be persuaded by arguments, you might well be perplexed: but if we bid you believe the Scriptures, and these are simple and true, the decision is easy for you. If any agree with the Scriptures, he is the Christian; if any fight against them, he is far from this rule." (Homily 33 in Acts of the Apostles [NPNF1,11:210-11; PG 60.243-44])
I note that you don't address the text from St. John *in its immediate context*, which I have cited for impartial observers to witness. Citing "another passage" does not address the passage itself in its own most proper context.
I cited the location so that anyone could read the whole in its context. But the writer's words need to be taken in the context of his entire corpus, of course. Here's the whole of the original sermon for anyone who wishes to check it out:
Note the "and."
ReplyDeleteRight. And note the "at that time."
ReplyDeleteSt. John is contrasting "argumentation," not with "from the Divine Scriptures ALONE" but with "the Divine Scriptures AND from the miracles done at that time." This is sufficient to dismiss "sola Scriptura." WRT the "at that time," you neglect to note that he goes on to say, "... if signs be what thou seekest after, even now thou mayest see signs, although not of the same kind; the numberless predictions and on an endless variety of subject: the conversion of the world, the self-denying course of the Barbarians, the change from savage customs, the greater intenseness of piety."
ReplyDeleteFather, you buck the fathers themselves when you seek to dismiss "by Scripture alone." You know better than that. Even the isolated passage you love to cite from St. Basil doesn't stand against the numerous other places that great father teaches about Scripture alone.
ReplyDeleteAs for THIS father, well, take to heart his words in another passage: "“Regarding the things I say, I should supply even the proofs, so I will not seem to rely on my own opinions, but rather, prove them with Scripture, so that the matter will remain certain and steadfast.” (Homily 8 On Repentance and the Church, p. 118, vol. 96 TFOTC) or this one: "There comes a heathen and says, 'I wish to become a Christian, but I know not whom to join: there is much fighting and faction among you, much confusion: which doctrine am I to choose?' How shall we answer him? 'Each of you (says he) asserts, I speak the truth.' No doubt: this is in our favor. For if we told you to be persuaded by arguments, you might well be perplexed: but if we bid you believe the Scriptures, and these are simple and true, the decision is easy for you. If any agree with the Scriptures, he is the Christian; if any fight against them, he is far from this rule." (Homily 33 in Acts of the Apostles [NPNF1,11:210-11; PG 60.243-44])
I note that you don't address the text from St. John *in its immediate context*, which I have cited for impartial observers to witness. Citing "another passage" does not address the passage itself in its own most proper context.
ReplyDeleteI cited the location so that anyone could read the whole in its context. But the writer's words need to be taken in the context of his entire corpus, of course. Here's the whole of the original sermon for anyone who wishes to check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newadvent.org/fathers/220106.htm