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Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

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3. Let them tell me in what sense Paul says, “Now we know in part”; 2963 do we know<br />

His essence in part, as knowing parts of His essence? No. This is absurd; for God is without<br />

parts. But do we know the whole essence? How then “When that which is perfect is come,<br />

then that which is in part shall be done away.” 2964 Why are idolaters found fault with? Is<br />

it not because they knew God <strong>and</strong> did not honour Him as God? Why are the “foolish<br />

Galatians” 2965 reproached by Paul in the words, “After that ye have known God, or rather<br />

are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak <strong>and</strong> beggarly elements?” 2966 How was<br />

God known in Jewry? Was it because in Jewry it was known what His essence is? “<strong>The</strong> ox,”<br />

it is said, “knoweth his owner.” 2967 According to your argument the ox knows his lord’s<br />

essence. “And the ass his master’s crib.” 2968 So the ass knows the essence of the crib, but<br />

“Israel doth not know me.” So, according to you, Israel is found fault with for not knowing<br />

what the essence of God is. “Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known<br />

thee,” 2969 that is, who have not comprehended thy essence. But, I repeat, knowledge is<br />

manifold—it involves perception of our Creator, recognition of His wonderful works, observance<br />

of His comm<strong>and</strong>ments <strong>and</strong> intimate communion with Him. All this they thrust<br />

on one side <strong>and</strong> force knowledge into one single meaning, the contemplation of God’s essence.<br />

Thou shalt put them, it is said, before the testimony <strong>and</strong> I shall be known of thee<br />

thence. 2970 Is the term, “I shall be known of thee,” instead of, “I will reveal my essence”?<br />

“<strong>The</strong> Lord knoweth them that are his.” 2971 Does He know the essence of them that are His,<br />

but is ignorant of the essence of those who disobey Him? “Adam knew his wife.” 2972 Did<br />

he know her essence? It is said of Rebekah “She was a virgin, neither had any man known<br />

her,” 2973 <strong>and</strong> “How shall this be seeing I know not a man?” 2974 Did no man know Rebekah’s<br />

essence? Does Mary mean “I do not know the essence of any man”? Is it not the custom<br />

2963 1 Cor. xiii. 9.<br />

2964 1 Cor. xiii. 10.<br />

2965 Gal. iii. 1.<br />

2966 Gal. iv. 9.<br />

2967 Is. i. 3.<br />

2968 Is. i. 3.<br />

2969 Ps. lxxix. 6.<br />

2970 Referred by the Ben. Ed. to Ex. xxv. 21 <strong>and</strong> 22. <strong>The</strong> first clause is apparently introduced from Ex. xvi.<br />

34.<br />

2971 2 Tim. ii. 19.<br />

2972 Gen. iv. 1.<br />

2973 Gen. xxiv. 16.<br />

2974 Luke i. 34.<br />

To the same, in answer to another question.<br />

765

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