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A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

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(D) Argument from Hebrew Prophecy 153life. For God has given us a law and holy commandments;and every one who keeps these can be saved, and obtaining theresurrection, can inherit incorruption.(D) Argument from Hebrew ProphecyThe appeal to the fulfilment of Hebrew prophecy was the mainargument of the apologists <strong>for</strong> the divine character of the mission [135]of Christ. The exegesis of the prophetic writings was in the spiritof the times. Hebrew prophecy was also regarded as the sourceof all knowledge of God outside of Israel. The theory that theGreeks and other nations borrowed was employed to show theconnection; in this the apologists followed Philo Judæus. Noattempt was made either by them or by Clement of Alexandriato remove the inconsistency of this theory of borrowing with thedoctrine of the Logos; see above, under “Logos Doctrine;” also§ 20.Justin Martyr, Apol., I, 30, 44. (MSG, 6:374, 394.)Additional source material: Justin Martyr, Dial. c. Tryph.,passim.Ch. 30. But lest any one should say in opposition to us: Whatshould prevent that He whom we call Christ, being a man born ofmen, per<strong>for</strong>med what we call His mighty works by magical art,and by this appeared to be the Son of God? We will offer proof,not trusting to mere assertions, but being of necessity persuadedby those who prophesied of Him be<strong>for</strong>e these things came topass.Ch. 44. Whatever both philosophers and poets have saidconcerning the immortality of the soul, or punishments afterdeath, or contemplation of things heavenly, or doctrines of thelike kind, they have received such suggestions from the prophets

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