Christian Fathers Admit to Cons

Tertullian — De Carne Christi 5

“The Son of God was crucified: I am not ashamed—because it is shameful.

The Son of God died: it is wholly credible—because it is absurd.

And, buried, He rose again: it is certain—because it is impossible.”

 

Tertullian — De Carne Christi 3

“The resurrection of the dead is regarded as foolish by the pagans, impossible by philosophers, and ridiculous by the wise of this world.”

 

Tertullian — Apologeticum 17

“The fact is certain, because it is impossible.”

 

Paul — 1 Corinthians 1:23

“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

 

Justin Martyr — First Apology 13

“When you hear that we speak of a Son of God, you may suppose that we mean something absurd.”

 

Justin Martyr — First Apology 21

 “That a man should be crucified and die, and that this should be salvation, appears irrational.”

 

Minucius Felix — Octavius 9

“We are called fools; we are laughed at and mocked—if these things are judged by human wisdom.”

 

Lactantius — Divine Institutes IV.28

 “It is a virtue to believe what reason does not allow.”

 

Gregory of Nazianzus

 

Oration 27 (First Theological Oration), §3

“It is not for all men, my friends, to philosophize about God. The subject is not so cheap and low that it may be discussed before every audience.

We must not give solid food to those who can take only milk, nor reveal everything to everyone.

It is enough to give the multitude a few crumbs,

and to leave the deeper matters unexplained.”

 

“To tell everything openly about God is not wise.

The multitude is incapable of receiving it,

and explanation does more harm than silence.”

 

Basil of Caesarea (Bishop of Caesarea)

On the Holy Spirit, ch. 27

 “The dogmas preserved in the Church have a silent and mystical transmission… because the knowledge of them is not suitable for all who hear.”

 

Basil of Caesarea — same work, ch. 27

“What is spoken plainly may be despised by the many.”

 

Cyril of Jerusalem (Bishop of Jerusalem)

Catechetical Lecture 6.29

“We do not explain everything openly to all; for the hearer must first be prepared.”

 

Augustine (Bishop of Hippo)

On Christian Doctrine 3.10

“Many things are spoken obscurely in Scripture so that they may be understood only by those who are fit to understand them.”

 

Eusebius of Caesarea Maritima

Praeparatio Evangelica (Preparing the Way for the Gospel), Book 12, Chapter 31

“What harm is it to tell a lie, if it be for the sake of persuading men to be saved?

…

The physician does not tell the patient everything,

but gives what is useful for the cure.

In the same way, it may be necessary to use falsehood as a medicine

for those who need such an approach.”