St. Basil the Great: On the Holy Spirit

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering theological arguments, scriptural citations, linguistic distinctions, and historical traditions in St. Basil the Great's treatise On the Holy Spirit.

To whom is this treatise addressed by the author?

Amphilochius.

Which two doxology formulas used by the author provoked controversy among the people?

Offering glory to God the Father at one time "with the Son together with the Holy Ghost," and at another "through the Son in the Holy Ghost."

What sophism did Aetius invent regarding syllables and natures?

That things naturally unlike are expressed in unlike terms, and, conversely, that things expressed in unlike terms are naturally unlike.

How did the heretical opponents assign prepositions to each Person of the Trinity?

They assigned "of Whom" to the Father (as Creator), "by/through Whom" to the Son (as subordinate agent or instrument), and "in Whom" to the Holy Spirit (as place or time).

From what source did the opponents derive their rigid division of causes and prepositions?

Heathen philosophy and non-Christian writers, who analyzed principal causes, cooperative causes, and indispensable conditions.

Which passage from Romans 11:36 does the author cite to prove that prepositions are interchangeable?

"For of him and through him and to him are all things," showing that both "of whom" and "through whom" apply to the same Subject.

Which scripture verse shows that the phrase "through whom" ($\text{δι' οὗ}$) is applied directly to God the Father?

1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, by whom [through whom] you were called unto the fellowship of his Son."

Why is it impossible for the Son to be "after" the Father in time?

Because the Son is the Maker of the ages, no interval intervenes in Their natural conjunction, and John defines this by stating: "In the beginning was the Word."

What is indicated by Scripture when it states that the Son sits at the "right hand" of the Father?

Equality of relation and magnificence of dignity (the seat of honour), not an inferior physical or localized position.

According to Chapter 7, what distinct purposes do the phrases "with whom" and "through whom" serve?

"With whom" is proper in the ascription of glory (doxology), while "through whom" is specially appropriate in the giving of thanks.

Why does Scripture bestow manifold titles such as Door, Way, Shepherd, and Physician on the Son?

These titles do not set forth His divine nature, but rather the variety of His effectual working and care adapted to the specific necessities of those in need.

How does the author interpret the scriptural statement that the Son receives a "commandment" from the Father?

As an indissoluble transmission of will passing without note of time, like the reflection of an object in a mirror, rather than a spoken order given to an ignorant subordinate.

What natural analogy illustrates how the Holy Spirit illuminates each individual while remaining entire everywhere?

A sunbeam, whose kindly light falls on the recipient as though shining for him alone, yet simultaneously illumines land and sea and mingles with the air.

According to Chapter 9, what is the highest gift bestowed upon souls purified and illuminated by the Holy Spirit?

"The being made God."

What scriptural command in Matthew 28:19 proves that the Holy Spirit must be ranked with the Father and the Son?

The commission of baptism, which commands the disciples to baptize all nations "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

Why are the "elect angels" mentioned alongside God and Christ in 1 Timothy 5:21 without sharing divine rank?

Angels are invoked as fellow-slaves and witnesses of truth to a charge, whereas the Spirit is called upon in natural fellowship as Lord of life.

How does the author answer the objection that Israel was "baptized unto Moses" (1 Corinthians 10:2)?

Baptism unto Moses in the cloud and sea was only a shadowy type and figure prefiguring the reality of salvation, and the divine nature is not diminished by being prefigured by human types.

What dual purpose is served by employing water alongside the Spirit in baptism?

The water represents death and burial by receiving the body as in a tomb to destroy the body of sin, while the Spirit imparts the quickening power of life.

How are the three Divine Persons described in relation to the creation of the heavenly powers?

The Father is the original cause, the Son is the creative cause, and the Holy Spirit is the perfecting cause.

What does the phrase "cut asunder" (Matthew 24:51) signify regarding the punishment of the wicked at judgment?

The complete and eternal separation of the soul from the Holy Spirit.

How does the author refute the opponents' concept of "sub-numeration"?

Number is merely an invented symbol of quantity that cannot alter the nature or dignity of what is counted, just as counting gold and brass does not change their essence.

How is the Christian dogma of the Monarchy preserved while confessing three distinct hypostases?

The divine nature and sovereignty are one, just as an earthly king and the king's image do not constitute two kings; the Persons are distinguished, but the communion of the Godhead is undivided.

Why does the author reject the heretics' view that the Holy Spirit is "neither a slave nor a master, but free"?

Nothing in creation is free from service to God; therefore, if the Spirit is above creation, He does not belong to a neutral state of creaturely freedom, but shares in divine royalty.

Which verse from 2 Corinthians 3 is cited to prove that the Spirit is explicitly called "Lord"?

2 Corinthians 3:17: "Now the Lord is that Spirit."

How does the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit differ from the nature of angels?

Angels are confined to circumscribed locations, whereas the Holy Spirit operates simultaneously throughout the world, filling all things.

What is the distinction between "Dogma" and "Kerugma" set forth in Chapter 27?

Dogma is observed and guarded in silence, whereas Kerugma is openly proclaimed to all the world.

Which unwritten traditions of the Church are cited in Chapter 27 to demonstrate the validity of apostolic custom?

Signing with the sign of the cross, turning East at prayer, the words of the Eucharistic invocation, blessing baptismal water and chrism oil, triple immersion, and renouncing Satan.

Why does the Church instruct believers to stand at prayer on Sunday and throughout Pentecost?

As a reminder of the resurrection and as an image of the eternal age to come (the eighth day), turning the mind toward the endless life.

Which early Church figures are cited in Chapter 29 as precedent for using the doxology "with the Spirit"?

Irenaeus, Clement of Rome, Dionysius of Rome, Dionysius of Alexandria, Eusebius of Palestine, Origen, Africanus the historian, and Gregory the Wonderworker.

What words from the ancient evening hymn at the lighting of the lamps does the author quote?

"We praise Father, Son, and God's Holy Spirit."

What remarkable feats of Gregory the Wonderworker are mentioned in Chapter 29?

Changing the course of rivers, drying up a disputed lake, exercising power over demons, and turning an entire pagan region of only seventeen Christians to God.

To what dramatic scenario does the author compare the condition of the Church in Chapter 30?

A naval battle fought by rival fleets in a raging tempest and thick darkness, where allies betray one another, mutual hatred rules, and ships crash together in total confusion.

What two doctrinal extremes were tearing the Church apart according to Chapter 30?

Confounding the Persons and falling into Judaism on one side, and dividing the natures into heathen polytheism on the other.

What Old Testament example inspired the author to speak out boldly despite the hopeless chaos in the Church?

The three children in Babylon, who lifted their voices in hymns of praise to God from the midst of the furnace when there was no one else to support true religion.