A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

§ 12. Theological Ideas 41(a) Ignatius, Ep. ad Ephesios, 18 ff.The Epistle to the Ephesians is doctrinally the most importantof the writings of Ignatius. In the passage that follows thereis a remarkable anticipation of a part of the Apostles' Creed(cf. Hahn. § 1). The whole passage contains in brief thefundamental point of the writer's teachings.Ch. 18. My spirit is an offering 15 of the cross, which is a stumbling-blockto unbelievers, but to us salvation and life eternal.“Where is the wise man? where the disputer?” [I Cor. 1:20.]Where is the boasting of those called prudent? For our God, JesusChrist, was, according to the dispensation of God, conceived inthe womb of Mary of the seed of David, but of the Holy Ghost.He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purifythe water.Ch. 19. And the virginity of Mary was hidden from the Princeof this World, and her bringing forth, and likewise the death ofthe Lord; three mysteries of shouting, which were wrought insilence of God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? Astar shone forth from heaven above all other stars, and its lightwas inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonish- [031]ment, but all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formeda chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great abovethem all. And there was agitation whence this novelty, so unliketo everything else. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed andevery bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removedand the old kingdom abolished, for God had been manifestedin human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now thattook a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforthall things were in a state of tumult because He meditated theabolition of death.15 Piaculum.