28. What was the new Platonic philosophy? 29. What was Plato's idea of God? 30. In what way was there an attempt to harmonize the philosophy of Plato with the writings of St John? 31. State the "orthodox" doctrine respecting Deity in those times. 32. State the Sabellian theory. 33. Give an illustration of it. 34. State the Arian theory. 35. In what way did the Nicene Council decide the trinity controversy? 36. What confession did Athanasius make as to his inability to comprehend the Nicene creed? 37. What great error resulted from the controversy on the nature of Deity? 38. What passages of scripture refute the "orthodox" Christian notion that God is immaterial? 39. How from reason would you refute the notion that God is an immaterial Being? {180} SECTION VI. 1. Departure from Moral Precepts of the Gospel.--There was as wide a departure from the moral precepts of the gospel among the Christians as there was from the doctrines, ordinances and government of the church. From the nature of the reproofs, the admonitions and warnings to be found in the epistles of the apostles to the churches, one may see that while they yet lived the saints were prone to wickedness, and great errors in regard to moral conduct crept into the churches. The writings of the early fathers of the church who succeeded the apostles also bear witness to the continuance and increase of these errors. 2. Double Rule of Life.--As early as the second century the idea became prevalent that messiah had prescribed a twofold rule of moral conduct; the one ordinary, the other extraordinary; one for those engaged in ordinary affairs of life, the other for persons of leisure and such as desired a higher glory in the future life. This led the early Christian doctors to divide whatsoever had been taught by the apostles in respect to Christian life and morals, into precepts and counsels. The precepts were those laws which were equally binding on all men the counsels were binding only on those who aspired to a closer union with God.