Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
But further, since Celsus will have it that “Jesus was not
irreproachable,” let him instance any one of those who adhere to His
doctrine, who has recorded anything that could truly furnish ground of
reproach against Jesus; or if it be not from these that he derives his
matter of accusation against Him, let him say from what quarter he has
learned that which has induced him to say that He is not free from
reproach. Jesus, however, performed all that He promised to do, and by
which He conferred benefits upon His adherents. And we, continually
seeing fulfilled all that was predicted by Him before it happened, viz.
that this gospel of His should be preached throughout the whole world,
and that His disciples should go among all nations and announce His
doctrine; and, moreover, that they should be brought before governors
and kings on no other account than because of His teaching; we are lost
in wonder at Him, and have our faith in Him daily confirmed. And I know
not by what greater or more convincing proofs Celsus would have Him
confirm His predictions; unless, indeed, as seems to be the case, not
understanding that the Logos had become the man Jesus, he would have Him
to be subject to no human weakness, nor to become an illustrious pattern
to men of the manner in which they ought to bear the calamities of life,
although these appear to Celsus to be most lamentable and disgraceful
occurrences, seeing that he regards labour[128] to be the greatest of
evils, and pleasure the perfect good,—a view accepted by none of those
philosophers who admit the doctrine of providence, and who allow that
courage, and fortitude, and magnanimity are virtues. Jesus, therefore,
by His sufferings cast no discredit upon the faith of which He was the
object; but rather confirmed the same among those who would approve of
manly courage, and among those who were taught by Him that what was
truly and properly the happy life was not here below, but was to be
found in that which was called, according to His own words, the “coming
world;” whereas in what is called the “present world” life is a
calamity, or at least the first and greatest struggle of the soul.[129]
Footnote 128:
πόνον.
Footnote 129:
ἀγῶνα τὸν πρῶτον καὶ μέγιστον τῆς ψυχῆς.
Chapter XLIII.
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