Letter 109

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Eusebius, Bishop of Ancyra Date: ~440 AD Context: A substantial doctrinal letter in which Theodoret defends his Christology, draws comfort from the biblical promises of persecution to the righteous, and asks Eusebius not to believe the slanders. To Eusebius, Bishop of Ancyra, Many are the plots secretly being hatched against me, and through me against the apostolic faith itself. But I take comfort from the sufferings of the saints -- prophets, apostles, martyrs, and those famous in the churches for the word of grace -- and above all from the promises of our God and Savior. For in this present life he has promised us nothing pleasant or easy, but rather trouble, toil, danger, and the attacks of enemies: "In the world you shall have tribulation" [John 16:33]; "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" [John 15:20]; "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household" [Matthew 10:25]; "The time comes when whoever kills you will think he does God service" [John 16:2]; "Straight is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life" [Matthew 7:14]; "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another" [Matthew 10:23]. The divine apostle too speaks in the same vein: "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, but evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" [2 Timothy 3:12-13]. These words give me the greatest comfort in my distress. Since the slanders uttered against me have probably reached your holiness's ears, I beg you: give no credence to my accusers' lies. I am not aware of ever having taught anyone to believe in two sons. I have been taught to believe in one Only-Begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Word made man. I know the distinction between flesh and Godhead, and I regard as impious both those who divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons, and those who, traveling in the opposite direction, confuse Godhead and manhood into one nature.

Letter 109 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To Eusebius, Bishop of Ancyra. Many are the devices secretly plotted against me, and through me patched up against the faith of apostles. I am however comforted by the sufferings of the Saints, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and men famous in the churches in the word of Grace; and besides these by the promises of our God and Saviour, for in this present life He has promised us nothing pleasant or delightful, but rather trouble, toil, and peril, and attacks of enemies. In the world, He says, you shall have tribulation, and if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you, and If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his household, and The time comes when whosoever kills you will think he does God service, and Straight is the gate and narrow the way which leads unto life, and When they persecute you in this city flee you into another, and I might quote all similar passages. The divine Apostle too speaks in the same strain. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. These words give me the greatest comfort in this distress. As the calumnies uttered against me have probably reached your holiness's ears, I beseech your holiness to give no credence to the lies of my slanderers. I am not aware of ever having taught anyone up to the present time to believe in two sons. I have been taught to believe in one only begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Word made man. But I know the distinction between flesh and Godhead, and regard as impious all who divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons, as well as those who, travelling in an opposite direction, call the Godhead and manhood of the master Christ one nature. For these exaggerations stand opposed to one another, while between them lies the way of the doctrines of the Gospel, beautified by the footprints of prophets and apostles, and of all who after them have been conspicuous for the gift of teaching. I was anxious to adduce their opinions, and to point out how they bear witness in favour of my own, but I want more words than a letter allows room for, wherefore I have written summarily what I have been taught about the incarnation of the only begotten; I send my statement to your godly excellency. I have written not with the object of teaching others, but of making my defense against the accusations brought against me, and of explaining my sentiments to those who are ignorant of them. After your holiness has read what I have written, if you find it in conformity with the apostolic doctrines, I hope you will confirm my opinion by what you reply — if, on the contrary, anything that I have said jars with the divine teaching, I request to be told of it by your holiness. For, though I have spent much time in teaching, I still need one to teach me. We know, says the divine Apostle in part, and again he says, If any man think that he knows anything he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. So I hope that I may hear the truth from your holiness, and that you may also give heed to the calm of the Church, and fight for the divine doctrines. It is for their sakes that the very godly bishops, making light of the difficulties of the journey, and of the winter, have set out for the imperial city, in the endeavour to bring about some end to the storm. Send them I pray you, on their way with your prayers and with your prayers too strengthen me.