Paganism Surviving in ChristianityLewis, Abram Herbert
Religion
Paganism Surviving in Christianity
Lewis, Abram Herbert
Christianity and other religions; Paganism
“Moses then issued three doctrines concerning meats with a spiritual
significance; but they received them according to fleshly desire
as if he had merely spoken of [literal] meats. David, however,
comprehends the knowledge of the three doctrines, and speaks in like
manner: ‘Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of
the ungodly,’ even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the
depths [of the sea], ‘and hath not stood in the way of sinners,’ even
as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; ‘and
hath not sat in the seat of the scorners’ even as those birds that
lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual
knowledge. But Moses says still further, ‘Ye shall eat every animal
that is cloven-footed and ruminant.’ What does he mean? [The ruminant
animal denotes him] who on receiving food recognizes Him that
nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him, is visibly made glad. Well
spake [Moses] having respect to the commandment. What then does he
mean? That we ought to join ourselves to those that fear the Lord,
those who meditate in their heart on the commandment which they have
received, those who both utter the judgments of the Lord and observe
them, those who know that meditation is a work of gladness, and who
ruminate upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed?
That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to
the holy state [to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how
was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things?
We then, rightly understanding his commandments, explain them as
the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our
hearts, that we might understand these things.”[49]
Chapter xii. is a meaningless discussion of the cross as prefigured in
the Old Testament. A part of the chapter will suffice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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