Saturday, May 20, 2023

Athenagoras Identifying Jesus with the Holy Spirit in Legatio 10:4-5

  

Athenagoras finally describes the Holy Spirit, whom he identifies with the Son who is νους σοφια, and λογος, as we have seen, in the following terms:

 

The same Holy Spirit that empowers (καιτοι και αυτο το ενεργουν) those who proclaim prophetically (τοις εκφωνουσαι προφητικως) we say is the effluence of God (αγιον πνευμα απορροιαν ειναι φαμεν του θεου) which flows forth from him (απορρεον) and returns (και επαναφερομενον) like the rays of the sun (ως ακτινα ηλιου). Who then would not be amazed (τις ουν ουκ αν απορησαι) if he heard of men called atheists (ακουσας αθεους καλουμενους) who bring forward God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit (τους αγοντας θεον πατερα και υιον θεον και πνευμα αγιον), and who proclaim both their power in their unity (δεικνυντας αυτων και την τν τη ενωσει δυναμιν) and their diversity in rank (και την τη ταξει διαρεσιν).

 

Athenagoras, Legatio 10, 4-5.

(Allen Brent, The Imperial Cult and the Development of Church Order: Concepts and Images of Authority in Paganism and Early Christianity Before the Age of Cyprian [Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 45; Leiden: Brill, 1999], 306)

 

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