Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Andreas, of Samosata, written from Ephesus|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
christologymonasticism
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Andreas, Monk of Constantinople
Date: ~433 AD
Context: Theodoret celebrates the Formula of Reunion, noting with satisfaction that Cyril's party has effectively abandoned the Twelve Chapters and adopted the two-nature Christology they once condemned.
To Andreas, Monk of Constantinople,
"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it" [1 Corinthians 10:13]. He has exposed falsehood -- though even now the refuted falsehood is still approved by some -- and has demonstrated the power of truth.
For look: those who by their impious reasoning had confused the natures of our Savior Christ, and dared to preach one nature, and who for this reason insulted the most holy and venerable Nestorius, high priest of God -- their mouths have been held, as the prophet says, "with bit and bridle" [Psalm 32:9], and they have been turned from wrong to right. They have learned the truth once again, adopting the very position of the man who bore the brunt of the battle for the truth's sake.
Instead of one nature they now confess two, anathematizing all who preach mixture and confusion. They adore the impassible Godhead of Christ. They attribute suffering to the flesh. They distinguish among the terms of the Gospels, assigning the lofty and divine statements to the Godhead, and the lowly ones to the manhood. Such are the writings now brought from Egypt.
Letter 173
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Letter to Andreas, Monk of Constantinople.
God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it, and convicts falsehood — although now refuted assertion of the falsehood is approved — and the power of truth has been shown. For, lo, they, who by their impious reasoning had confused the natures of our Saviour Christ, and dared to preach one nature, and therefore insulted the most holy and venerable Nestorius, high priest of God, their mouths held, as the prophet says, with bit and bridle and turned from wrong to right, have once again learned the truth, adopting the statement of him who in the cause of truth has borne the brunt of the battle. For instead of one nature they now confess two, anathematizing all who preach mixture and confusion. They adore the impassible Godhead of Christ; they attribute passion to the flesh; they distinguish between the terms of the Gospels, ascribing the lofty and divine to the Godhead, and the lowly to the manhood. Such are the writings now brought from Egypt.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Andreas, Monk of Constantinople
Date:~433 AD
Context:Theodoret celebrates the Formula of Reunion, noting with satisfaction that Cyril's party has effectively abandoned the Twelve Chapters and adopted the two-nature Christology they once condemned.
To Andreas, Monk of Constantinople,
"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it" [1 Corinthians 10:13]. He has exposed falsehood -- though even now the refuted falsehood is still approved by some -- and has demonstrated the power of truth.
For look: those who by their impious reasoning had confused the natures of our Savior Christ, and dared to preach one nature, and who for this reason insulted the most holy and venerable Nestorius, high priest of God -- their mouths have been held, as the prophet says, "with bit and bridle" [Psalm 32:9], and they have been turned from wrong to right. They have learned the truth once again, adopting the very position of the man who bore the brunt of the battle for the truth's sake.
Instead of one nature they now confess two, anathematizing all who preach mixture and confusion. They adore the impassible Godhead of Christ. They attribute suffering to the flesh. They distinguish among the terms of the Gospels, assigning the lofty and divine statements to the Godhead, and the lowly ones to the manhood. Such are the writings now brought from Egypt.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.