Previous Vol 6 - 7.4.2.0.0 Next
Archelaus - A Fragment of the Disputation with Heresiarch Manes
1. Archelaus said to Manes: Give us a statement now of the doctrines you promulgate.--Thereupon the man, whose mouth was like an open sepulchre, [2157] began at once with a word of blasphemy against the Maker of all things, saying: The God of the Old Testament is the inventor of evil, who speaks thus of Himself: "I am a consuming fire." [2158] --But the sagacious Archelaus completely undid this blasphemy. For he said: If the God of the Old Testament, according to your allegation, calls Himself a fire, whose son is He who says, "I am come to send fire upon the earth?" [2159] If you find fault with one who says, "The Lord killeth and maketh alive," [2160] why do you honour Peter, who raised Tabitha to life, [2161] but also put Sapphira to death? [2162] And if again, you find fault with the one because He has prepared a fire, [2163] why do you not find fault with the other, who says, "Depart from me into everlasting fire?" [2164] If you find fault with Him who says, "I, God, make peace, and create evil," [2165] explain to us how Jesus says, "I came not to send peace, but a sword." [2166] Since both persons speak in the same terms, one or other of these two things must follow: namely, either they are both good [2167] because they use the same language; or, if Jesus passes without censure though He speaks in such terms, you must tell us why you reprehend Him who employs a similar mode of address in the Old Testament.