Honors 1102 Midterm

Life of Constantine Eusebius of Caesarea

Life of Constantine Eusebius of Caesarea

Account written about Constantine’s rule. He converts to Christianity, has visions from God, conquers Rome, and legalizes the Church. Then he resolves Church disputes in the First Council of Nicaea.

“The emperor also personally inviting the society of God’s ministers, distinguished them with the highest possible respect and honor, showing them favor in deed and word as persons consecrated to the service of God.”

Letters of Arius and Alexander

Letters about the first heresy in the Church. Arius claims that Jesus Christ was created by God and therefore there was a time he did not exist. Alexander responds, saying that reaching false teachings like this is bad for the Church. Jesus Christ cannot be a creation because then he wouldn’t be different from us, he would be God, he wouldn’t be able to forgive sins, etc.

“God being the cause of all is without beginning, most alone; but the Son, begotten by the Father, created and founded before the ages, was not before he was begotten.”

“As if both a Paul and a Peter would persist at improvement, then their sonship would differ in no way from his.”

Tao Qian

Poet who lived during the Period of Disunion. He wrote primarily about returning to one’s natural self.

“So little time are we granted human form in the world! / Let us then follow the inclinations of the heart"“

Mouzi

Series of questions and answers about Buddhism attempting to discern if one can be a good Chinese and a good Buddhist. Brings up issues like filial piety, celibacy/no family, and foreign influences.

“Wives, children, and property are the luxuries of the world, but simple living and doing nothing (wuwei) are the wonders of the Way“

The Lotus Sutra

One of the Mahayana scriptures, addressed to Sariputra. First says that only a Buddha can understand the scriptures, and everyone else must attain enlightenment through the Buddha vehicle. Tells Parable of the Burning House, where a father convinces his sons to leave the burning house by promising them toys and riches. The tells about the Impoverished Son. A wealthy father finds his impoverished son and has him work for years on unpleasant tasks before revealing himself on his deathbed.

“I must now invent some expedient means that will make it possible for the children to escape harm.”

“Gentlemen, you should now that this is my son, who was born to me. In such-and-such a city he abandoned me and ran away, and for over fifty years he wandered about and suffered hardship…Now everything that belongs to me, all my wealth and possessions, shall belong entirely to this son of mine“

The Flower Garland / Huyan Sutra

Claims to be the first sermon preached by Buddha, addressing the limitations of human knowledge. The Tower of Vairocana which is a place that permeates all aeons and all the Buddhas live. Then proposes Indra’s Net, which described everything as related to each other without being a single entity.

“This is the dwelling place where a single aeon permeates all aeons, and all aeons permeate one aeon without any loss of any of their own characteristics.”

“In a single jewel they all appear at the same time, and this can be seen in each and every jewel. There is really no coming or going.”

Daochuo

Compilation of Pure Land Buddhism teaching. There are infinite spheres that make up the universe, and by invoking the name of Amita one can be reborn into a sphere in which it is easier to attain Enlightenment.

“The expression ‘path that is easy to traverse’ refers to the vow to be reborn in the Pure Land through recourse to faith in the Buddha”

Augustine

First wrote a document of his conversion from a sinful life to Christianity with the help of his mother Monica. Says that the root cause of sin is lust, and improper desire for something. Sin is the twisting of something good. Next work is written after the fall of Rome, how would a perfect city function. Says that it would be in pursuit of worldly peace, which is subordinate to eternal peace of God, but still worthwhile.

“Thus the could that turns away from You fornicates, seeking outside You that which is clean and pure, but which it can only find when it returns to You.”

“If I am asked what stand the City of God would take on the issues raised and, first, what this City thinks of the supreme good and ultimate evil, the answer would be: She holds that eternal life is the supreme good and eternal death the supreme evil, and that we should live rightly in order to obtain the one and avoid the other.”

St Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of Anthony

Biography of a monk who learns from many of the holy men he visited, then locks himself in a tomb to fight demons. He does not give into their temptations, God saves him. He then goes into solitude for his life, living ascetically and ashamed of his bodily needs. Arians claim that he supports their teachings, but he denies it.

“Here am I Anthony; I flee not from your stripes, for even if you inflict more nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ”

St Basil of Caesarea, Longer Rule

Active bishop responding to questions about monastic life. Advocates for living in a community because many of the commandments are easier to follow when living in a community, no one is self-sufficient, by living with others we see our own flaws/shortcomings.

“If anyone says that the teaching of the Holy Scripture is sufficient for the amendment of his ways, he resembles a man who learns carpentry without ever actually doing a carpenter’s work.“

St Benedict, The Rule of St Benedict

Codifies the principles of monastic life. Calls for humble community that primarily works and prays, led by an abbot who is responsible not only for his own soul, but the souls of those under his care.

“A monk be contented with all lowliness or extremity, and consider himself, with regard to everything which is enjoined on him, as a poor and unworthy workman”

“The abbot who is ordained, moreover, shall reflect always what a burden he is undertaking, and to who he is to render account of his stewardship”

Letters of Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius of Constantinople

Cyril sends letter to Nestorius saying that the Church teaches that God and Jesus are co-existent, truly God and truly man without negation of either nature. Thus his conception in Mary was not his creation, but him becoming flesh. Nestorius replies saying that the Godly and human natures must be separate, otherwise you are saying that God suffered and died at human hands. Cyril responds again saying that Nestorius must renounce his teachings for be removed from the Church.

“This does not mean we worship a man alongside the Word, in case the shadow of a division might creep in through using the words ‘along with’; rather that we worship one and the same because the body of the Word, with which he shares the Father’s throne, was not alien to him.”

“Since he [Paul] was going to mention the death, he posited the title Christ so that no one might imagine that God the Word was passible, for Christ is a term that applies to both the impassible and the passible natures in a single persona.”

Exposition of Faith The Third Council of Constantinople

Proclaims that Christ is truly God and truly man, and that the human will is obedient to the divine will. Also claims that the Virgin Mary can be called the Mother of God.

“And the two natural wills are not in opposition, as the impious heretics said. Far from it. But his human will follows, and does not resist or struggle, but is in fact subject to his divine and all-powerful will.”

Justinian

Emperor who set out to re-codify all the laws of the empire. Claims that there is natural law and civil law. Also put forward the idea that the priesthood should be in charge of divine matters while the imperial authority should be over civil issues.

“We have found the entire arrangement of law which has come down to us from the foundation of the City of Rome and the times of Romulus, to be so confused that it is extended to an infinite length and is not within the grasp of human capacity; and hence We were first induced to begin by examining what had been enacted by former most venerated princes, to correct their constitutions”

“The priesthood minister to things divine; the imperial authority is sent over, and shows diligence in, things human; but both proceed from one and the same source, and both adorn the life of man.”

Han Yu

Wanted to restore Confucianism to a very Buddhist/Daoist society. Re-establishes ideals such as humaneness and rightness and the relationship between the ruler and minister and points out how Buddhism undermines them. Emphasized the importance of teachers and the barbarian nature of Buddhism.

“Yet today those who would rectify their minds do so by rejecting the empire and the state and by abrogating the natural principles of human relations: although they are sons, they do not regard their fathers as fathers. Although ministers, they do not regard their ruler as ruler.”

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

Hongren, the fifth patriarch, preaches on life and death, and asks all his followers to write a verse about it. Whoever grasps the cardinal meaning will become the next patriarch. Huineng grasps it, and gets the robe and dharma of the patriarch but must flee from those who want to kill him. Eventually returns and teaches.

“Each of you write a verse and bring it to me. I will read your verses and if there is one who has awakened tothe cardinal meaning, I will give him the robe and the Dharma and make him the Sixth Patriarch.”

Nestorian Stele

Starts with a creation story of a Lord in three persons making the universe and then humans, who sin and abandon their perfect lives. The Lord Ye Su was born from a virgin, then died for humanity’s sins, leaving behind 27 scriptures. Man named Aluoben translated and brought those scriptures East.

“The Religion of Light teachings are like the resplendent sun: they have the power to dissolve the dark realm and destroy evil forever”

The Sutra of Jesus Chirst

Compares the Christian God to the wind, says that all great teachers, such as the Buddha are touched by that Wind. Says that life comes from God. Don’t do idolotry or you will end up in the hands of King Yama, God of Judgement and Rebirth. Goes through an adjusted list of the ten commandments. God came upon a young woman, Mo Yan, and made her pregnant. She gave birth to the Messiah Ye Su, who preached the way of God and the way of Heaven. Then he was put to death and rose from the dead.

“So God caused the Cool breese to come upon a chosen young woman called Mo Yan, who had no husband, and she became pregnant.”

The Qu’ran

The word of God directly revealed to Muhammad. Gives rules about how to live, and stories such as Joseph in Egypt and Elizabeth and Zachariah. Some key differences from the Christian teachings: there is only one god, Allah, not concept of trinity. Jesus was a prophet, not the Son of God. Also, when it comes to warfare, itis permissible and encouraged to spread the faith and kill those who fight back.

“Forgiveness is only incumbent on God towards those who do evil in ignorance (and) turn quickly (in repentance) to God. These are they towards who God relents”

The Babylonian Talmud

Writings from early Rabbis that expands on the teachings of the Torah, and is held in various levels of regard by different Jewish communities. Encourages learning, keep what it holy holy, how to keep the Sabbath correctly, how to arbitrate legal issues.

“Rabbi Ishmael says: He who learns in order to teach is given the opportunity to learn and to teach. He who learns in order to practice is given the opportunity to learn, to teach, to observe, and to practice.”

Bukhari

Wrote hadith, recollections of how the Prophet conducted himself that can be used as a model. Marry multiple women, only worship God, without idols.

“Are you the ones who said thus and so? yet I dread god more than you and revere Him more, but I fast and I break the fast; I pray and I sleep too, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my practice [sunna] is none of mine”

Ibn Al-Hajaj

Wrote hadith, goes into the details of what you can and can’t do. Encourages respect towards one’s parents and their peers, cannot hold grudges, cannot dispute the Qu’ran.

“Abu Huraira reported that a person said: Allah’s Messenger, who amongst the people is most deserving of my good treatment? He said: Your mother, again your mother ,again your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives according to the order (of nearness).”

Pope Gelasius

Discusses the balance of power between the power of the priest and royalty. Says that priests have a more weighty power because they are responsible for the souls of everyone, including the king. Therefore the king should obey priests in matters of religion and priests should obey kings in matters of secular affairs.

“There are two powers, august Emperor, by which this world is chiefly ruled, namely, the sacred authority of the priests and the royal power”

John of Damascus

Byzantine monk/priest, wrote in support of the practice of making icons because people cannot fully understand the divine, so images are a helpful supplement. It is permissible so long as the images are a supplement, rather than worshiping the image itself.

“Again visible things are corporeal models which provide a vague understanding of intangible things”

“You see that the one thing aimed for is that no created thing can be adored in place of the Creator.”

The Definition of the Iconoclastic Conciliabulum

Declaration of the Byzantine’s stance on icons, declaring them wrong and deserving of destruction.

“Supported by the Holy Scriptures and the Fathers, we declare unanimously, in the name of the Holy Trinity, that there shall be rejected and removed and cursed out of the Christian Church every likeness which is made out of any material and color whatever by the evil art of painters.”

Decree of the Second Council of Nicea

Decrees that artistic representation of God is permissible because it is part of the Church’s tradition, it helps men lift up their hearts and minds, and the honor that is paid to the image is in reality paid to that which the image represents.

“To make our confession short, we keep unchanged all the ecclesiastical traditions handed down to us, whether in writing or verbally, one of which is the making of pictorial representations, agreeable to the history of the preaching of the Gospel, a tradition useful in many respects, but especially in this, that so the incarnation of the Word of God is shown forth as real and not merely phantastic for these have mutual indications and without doubt have also mutual significance.”

Pope Gregory II

This pope appealed to Charles Martel for help and protection from the Lombards. He came to the pope’s aid and he crowned Pipin of the Carolingian family king of the Franks.

“We can now no longer endure the persecution of the Lombards, for they have taken from St. Peter all his possessions even those which were given him by you and your fathers.”

The Donation of Constantine

Document claiming that Constantine donated land and authority to the pope and gave him authority over multiple cities.

“And we ordain and decree that he shall have the supremacy as well over the four chief seats Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Jerusalem, as over all the churches of God in the whole world.”

Ibn Rushd

Claims that the Qu’ran can be interpreted allegorically and philosophically, as well as literally and both will be true. However, not everyone should be taught on the allegorical level, because teaching someone allegorically when they remain on the demonstrative level leads to unbelief. Gives example of a doctor giving out rules of health instead of everyone becoming a doctor.

“As for the man who expresses these allegories to unqualified persons, he is an unbeliever on account of his summoning people to unbelief.”

Al-Ghazali

Goes through all the different philosophies and philosophic sciences and finds them lacking, except for Sufism.

“To suppose that certitude can be only based upon formal arguments is to limit the boundless mercy of God.”

Thomas Aquinas

Writings on the theological permissibility of war. Structured as a question, followed by multiple objections, then a paragraph form response/explanation, then replies to all the previous objections based on the explanation. Says that in order to have a just war one must firstly have the authority of the sovereign, a just cause, and the belligerents must have a rightful intention.

“I answer that, An individual man may be considered in two ways: first, in himself; secondly, in relation to something else. If we consider a man in himself, it is unlawful to kill any man, since in every man though he be sinful, we ought to love the nature which God has made, and which is destroyed by slaying him.”

Ibn Hajjaj

Recollects how the Prophet conducted himself while waging war as an example for how others ought to. Dictates that a good Muslim should be put in charge of any military endeavors, that the killing of innocents should be avoided if possible, that women should not fight.

“It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: War is a stratagem.”

Wang Anshi

Advisor who advocated for practical application of Confucian ideals. Advised the emperor that he is virtuous and chose virtuous officials, but still the empire is not perfect. Therefore the body of law must be perfected by basing it off of the laws of ancient kings. Additionally the educational system must be improved to make more virtuous officials.

“The cause of the distress is that we ignore the law. Now the government is strict in enforcing the law, and its statutes are complete to the last detail. Why then does your servant consider that there is an absence of law? It is because most of the present body of law does not accord with the government of the ancient kings.”

Zhu Xi

Confucian philosopher who synthesized Confucian thought. Put forward idea of principle/li (humaneness, rightness, etc) and material force/qi (wood, metal, etc). Also believed that learning was possible for anyone, and the ruler has a responsibility to sculpt the moral nature of his people. He proposes a public school system to this end. He wrote a commentary on Confucian texts for those schools.

“There is principle before there can be material-force. But it is only when there is material-force that principle finds a place to settle.”

Pact of Umar

Agreement between conquered Christians and the Muslim conquers. It forces the Christians to become lesser citizens, wearing certain clothing and not maintaining their churches, and to pay a tax in return for the safety of the community.

“This is a letter to the servant of God Umar [ibn al-Khattab], Commander of the Faithful, from the Christians of such-and-such a city. When you came against us, we asked you for safe-conduct (aman) for ourselves, our descendants, our property, and the people of our community, and we undertook the following obligations towards you:“

Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad

Apology of the faith before the Caliph in which he defends Christianity’s belief in the Trinity and only one God simultaneously. The Caliph also argues that it is not right to use created things as metaphors and comparisons for God, but the Patriarch says that created comparisons are all we have to go on.

“One is the cause of three, O our King, because this number one is the cause of the number two, and the number two that of the number three.”

“Because I am a bodily man, and not a spiritual being, I make use of bodily comparisons in speaking of God”

Patriarch Nicholas I Mysticus

Letters from a patriarch to Muslim leaders saying that their authority comes from God, so that they should be friendly.

“All earthly authority and rule depend from the rule and authority that are above: and there is no authority among men, not any potentate who succeeds to his power on earth by his native ability, unless the Author and Ruler and only Potentate in the Highest shall approve his succession.”

Pope Urban II

Speech encouraging the Christians to Crusade. Says that the Muslims have taken control and are defiling the Holy Lands and the Franks must expel them.

“From the confines of Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople a horrible tale has done forth and very frequently has been brought to our ears, namely, that a race from the kingdom of the Persians, an accursed rase, a race utterly alienated from God, a generation forsooth which has not directed its hear and has not entrusted its spirit to God, has invaded the land of those Christians and has depopulated the by the sword, pillage and fire; it has led away a part of the captives into its own country, and a part of it has destroyed by cruel tortures; it has either entirely destroyed the churches of God or appropriated them for the rites of its own religion.”

Guibert de Nogent

Details the Franks’ siege of Jerusalem crediting the victories to God.

“When the Provencal, that is, the army of the Count of Saint-Gilles, and all the other had entered the city, a general slaughter of the pagans took place.”

Ibn al-Athir

The Muslim perspective on the siege and fall of Jerusalem. Implies that the Muslims in the area should be ashamed that they didn’t help enough.

“It was the discord between the Muslim princes, as we shall describe, that enabled the Franks to overrun the country.”

Robert De Courcon

Outlines how the University of Paris, ordered by the pope, is to function. Gives specific books that will be taught and requirements that students and lecturers must teach.

“Let all know, that having been especially commanded by the lord pope to devote out energy effectively to the betterment of the condition of the students of Paris, and wishing by the advice of good men to provide for the tranquility of the students in the future, we have ordered and prescribed the following rules:”

Peter Abelard

Points out that there are contradictions and questioned raised in the writings of the Church fathers like Augustine and Peter. Therefore one should examine and question these documents to find the truth. Makes it very clear that only the writings of men, and not Scripture, is to be questioned in this manner.

“All writings belonging to this class are to be read with full freedom to criticize, and with no obligation to accept unquestioningly; otherwise they way would be blocked to all discussion, and posterity be deprived of the excellent intellectual exercise of debating difficult questions of language and presentation. But an explicit exception must be made in the case of the Old and New Testaments.”

“By doubting we come to examine, and by examining we reach the truth”

Domingo Gundisalvo

Defines philosophy, then divides it into two categories: theoretical (cognition of things that do not arise from our work, i.e. God, nature, etc) and practical (cognition of things that arise from our work). Theoretical is divided into physical science, mathematical science, and theology/first science. Practical is divided into political science, familiar ordination/ordering of the family, and ethical/moral science.

“Out of these [remarks], then, it has become evident why everything that exists is either from out [human] work and out will or is not from out work but from that of God or nature”