may He never, as an irate father, disinherit us His children,but also may never, as a dread-inspiring master made angry by our misdeeds, deliver us over toperpetual punishment as most wicked slaves who would not follow Him to glory
It is my understanding that this is simply not possible. However, I can see the use of fear of abandonment and the power that this could be used to suppress or oppress people
Thanks I was able to find the link and get on the class page!
Beloved, since rumors usually travel faster than accurate information, you have probably learned from other sources what happened concerning the church’s faith at the Great Council assembled at Nicaea.
Obviously they are trying to get out ahead of this matter, but also, they are working to keep the smaller congregations engaged. Information is power, but ignorance spreads dissension as well, so I think this communication is actually meant in good faith, not merely an administrative action.
You see how reasonably we resisted even to the last minute as long as we were offended at statements which differed from our own
Lean not on our own understanding...I appreciate fully here, the concept that they acknowledge there was discontent and that this discourse found peaceable resolution by finding common ground. If only our leaders of today could get it together to act accordingly.
The divine sayings teach us that his essence was begotten from the Father, and that the mode of his being begotten is inexpressible and unable to be conceived by any nature which has had a beginning of its existence.
"Begotten not made" sets up the patriarchy, or continues to underscore it, but prior to this, the discussion includes the power of the \holy \spirit, which transcends the physicality of the way Jesus was "begotten". Thus, if I understand correctly, this implies that Jesus who was wholly divine (begotten from God the Father) was also human, with a soul (begotten from the Holy Spirit). Is that right?
hey ought to pray to their God for our safety
This statement kills me from an injustice standpoint. It makes me think of the victim blaming and shaming that continues today. Christians were persecuted for their convictions and religious practices, and then "restored" to go about life as they please, since this was just torture for our "indulgence" but hey! Pray for your continued safety, make sure you ask your God for security, because who knows when we will feel like hurting you again!
it has pleased us
so this was for their pleasure? Which part? The persecution? the molestation of Christians observing their religious practices? or the restoration of peace within the public? This line shows the ugly side of their actions, which was they did this because they could and now they decided they wanted something else so please move along.
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This reeks of the Roman way of secrecy and power, We'll instruct the magistrates in another letter...don't worry your little heads about it (you do still have your head, right?) in a manner that glosses over the traumas that they inflicted!