Clarifying Christianity 4 – The Three Mysteries of Ignatius

[Thomas]

Something from a discussion of the Cross, but not strictly relevant to that discussion.

Christ walked 'the Way' (as the Early Christians sometimes called themselves) to its inevitable end, the confrontation with the prince of this world (death) on the Cross.

John 12:31 "Now is the judgment (krisis) of this world (kosmos): now shall the prince (archon) of this world (kosmos) be cast out."
John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the archon of this cosmos cometh, and hath nothing in me."
John 16:11 "Of judgment, because the archon of this kosmos is judged."
By overcoming death, we can follow Him on the Way that leads to life.

As St Ignatius spoke of the Three Mysteries deep in the heart of the Church:
"Now the virginity of Mary (the Virgin Birth) was hidden from the Lord of this Aion (ἄρχοντα τοῦ αἰῶνος, árchonta toú aiónos, as was also her offspring (the Incarnation), and the death of the Lord (the death and resurrection); three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? ...

... God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death."
(Ignatius to the Ephesians, XIX, emphasis mine.)

According to tradition, Ignatius (like Polycarp) was a student of John the Disciple. His insight into the spiritual realms was certainly as profound as his apostolic mentor.

Another who understood this was St Paul:
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the aion of this cosmos, according to the archon of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2)

In short, the people of the world had a far greater sense of the spiritual realms alongside the material.

 

[Faithfulservant]

Something from a discussion of the Cross, but not strictly relevant to that discussion.

Christ walked 'the Way' (as the Early Christians sometimes called themselves) to its inevitable end, the confrontation with the prince of this world (death) on the Cross.

John 12:31 "Now is the judgment (krisis) of this world (kosmos): now shall the prince (archon) of this world (kosmos) be cast out."
John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the archon of this cosmos cometh, and hath nothing in me."
John 16:11 "Of judgment, because the archon of this kosmos is judged."
By overcoming death, we can follow Him on the Way that leads to life.

As St Ignatius spoke of the Three Mysteries deep in the heart of the Church:
"Now the virginity of Mary (the Virgin Birth) was hidden from the Lord of this Aion (ἄρχοντα τοῦ αἰῶνος, árchonta toú aiónos, as was also her offspring (the Incarnation), and the death of the Lord (the death and resurrection); three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? ...

... God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death."
(Ignatius to the Ephesians, XIX, emphasis mine.)

According to tradition, Ignatius (like Polycarp) was a student of John the Disciple. His insight into the spiritual realms was certainly as profound as his apostolic mentor.

Another who understood this was St Paul:
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the aion of this cosmos, according to the archon of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2)

In short, the people of the world had a far greater sense of the spiritual realms alongside the material.

It's interesting. Most people in this modern world scoff at the supernatural. I feel that's a recent thing. Maybe an attempt of the enemy to turn people to science as God is entirely supernatural.

 

[wil]

Clarifying seems an interesting choice of title

 

[TheLightWithin]

It's interesting. Most people in this modern world scoff at the supernatural. I feel that's a recent thing. Maybe an attempt of the enemy to turn people to science as God is entirely supernatural.

Depending on what it is, and what theories of the supernatural the listener is willing to entertain. For example: If someone says they have ghosts in their house, I might say, well, they might have, OR it could be something natural causing the effect they report seeing/hearing/feeling, OR maybe something we just don't know anything about? More info is needed.

Depending on who is listening to the ghost stories, you could get anything from total scoffing to total acceptance, or somewhere in between,such as taking it all with a grain of salt without outright dismissing it.

Or if they continue to tell their ghost stories, if they had listeners of various prior experiences with ghosts, they could share one set of theories. Or then they have listeners of various religious traditions, who might share very different theories about what such supernatural entities might be based on their specific theology and how devoutly they adhere to it.

It's just that the information out there about the supernatural is varied enough and scant enough, that multitudes of theories abound (with or without a systematic theology)