Those who give themselves up to pleasures, twist Scripture in accordance with their lusts…. Such people, in consequence of falling away from the right path, err in most individual points. As you might expect, they do not have the faculty for judging what is true and false…. For if they had, they would have obeyed the Scriptures…. We also give a complete explanation of the Scriptures from the Scriptures themselves. From faith, we are persuaded by demonstration. However, when those who follow heresies venture to avail themselves of the prophetic Scriptures, [they do the following]: In the first place, they do not use all the Scriptures. Secondly, they do not quote them entirely. Finally, they do not quote them as the body and context of prophecy prescribes. Rather, selecting ambiguous expressions, they twist them to suit their own opinions, gathering a few expressions here and there. Instead of looking to the sense, they make use of the mere words.
Clement of Alexandria (ca.195), 2.551. Cited in A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, edited by David W. Bercot, pg. 335
1 comment:
Excellent explanation of not only the false teachers, but many Christians in general. I guess they could be called "low information" people because all they need/want is a little! ~Thank you for your work.
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