These with full devotion I embrace, and adhere to with most entire approval; since on them, as on a four-square stone, rises the structure of the holy faith; and whosoever, of whatever life and behaviour he may be, holds not fast to their solidity, even though he is seen to be a stone, yet he lies outside the building.
Gregory is setting up the foundation of the papacy. One that is holy devoted to the scripture and has great authority over his people.
But he is strict in prohibiting their possession of slaves who were already, or might become, Christians, and will allow them no compensation for the loss of such
The papacy had the authority to dictate behavior therefore this shows the power of Gregory the Great,
But these tombs of the dead which have become famous are called memorials or monuments because they call to mind those who by death have disappeared from the eyes of the living, and by bringing them to mind, they have not disappeared from men’s hearts through forgetfulness.
Famous? Like a saint? Would the grave would have special healing powers or miracles like the pilgrimage that Egeria went on to visit Thelca's grave?
by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary
Why is this added?
the only-begotten
really emphasizes the only begotten, are they trying to strengthen the high Christology even more?
Let us humiliate this old woman.’ So they said to her, ‘Be careful not to become conceited thinking to yourself: “Look how anchorites are coming to see me, a mere woman.” ‘ But Amma Sarah said to them, ‘According to nature I am a woman, but not according to my thoughts.’
Does humiliate mean rape? So since her body is woman and her thoughts are not womanly, what does this make her? Asexual?
A brother asked Abba Daniel, ‘Give me a commandment and I will keep it.’ He replied, ‘Never put your hand in the dish with a woman, and never eat with her; thus you will escape a little the demon of fornication.’
Where does this leave populating the Earth?
He heard a voice answering him, ‘Anthony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgement of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.’
This statement from blows process theology out of the water. God is the judge and ultimate ruler of the world so you must free yourself from wordy things in order to be right with God.
hermit monks
Where did hermit monks come from? Out of Judaism?
For I was aware that, if I should succeed in establishing, according to my hopes, a common harmony of sentiment among all the servants of God, the general course of affairs would also experience a change correspondent to the pious desires of them all.
This seems that Constantine thought his Christianity was the only way. If the countries were still in conflict, presumably for a number of reason, why did Constantine believe he could fix it with "his God"?
He took with him also the priests of God, feeling well assured that now, if ever, he stood in need of the efficacy of prayer, and thinking it right that they should constantly be near and about his person, as most trusty guardians of the soul.
Is Eusebius indicating that the priests had more of a direct line to God then Constantine did or is this Constantine's belief?
He enlightened them; he showed (them) a way; and the way is the truth which he taught them.
Reminds me of what Eric was talking about Origen and the circular model of salvation
incomprehensible, inconceivable one who is superior to every thought
Is the incomprehensible, solid fog, creature of defeat referring to Satan or evil?
pleroma
I goggled this word which wikipedia said means totality of divine power or fullness. This word is used 17 times in NT, in Colossians and known as a gnostic term. The page goes on to say that Paul is believed to be Gnostic. Eric?
a white-haired man sitting in the dress of a shepherd, of a large stature, milking sheep; and standing around were many thousand white-robed ones.
Is the white haired man Jesus? Any significance of milking the sheep? Were the other thousands martyrs that had come before her? Were there males voices to uphold a patriarchal structure?
wafted odor of frankincense or some other precious spice.
Any significance that frankincense was given to Jesus at his birth?
Heraclides of Pontus? He is dragged everywhere to the images—the εἴδωλα—of Democritus.
Why are these two men important? As I google them, Democritus was known for his atomic theory of the universe and was a materialist. Heraclides was know for the thinking that Earth rotated around the Sun. What is the connection?
These are “the doctrines” of men and “of demons”19111911 1 Tim. iv. 1. produced for itching ears of the spirit of this world’s wisdom: this the Lord called “foolishness,”19121912 1 Cor. iii. 18 and 25. and “chose the foolish things of the world” to confound even philosophy itself
This comment sure does exalt Christianity over Paganism.
The daily sacrifices in the Temple are halted.
Why were daily sacrifices in the Temple halted?
Abel
Abel was viewed as the first martyr and judge of souls
extremely religious
JANT, ancient speeches often began by praising the audience, although the Greek phrase can connote superstitious belief making Paul's words perhaps sarcastic (pg 233.)
Samaritan
Tensions between the Samaritans and the Jews who returned from the Babylonian exile was created in part by the Samaritan' opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple (JANT).
third day
JANT, third day may foreshadow the resurrections, just as the wedding may allude tot he messianic banquet, the feast that will celebrate the inauguration of God's rule.
angels came
JANT says God, directly or by means of divine servants, attends the faithful
all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour;
JANT, presumes that all the world is under Satanic control
For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be
Mark alters the apocalyptic prediction in Daniel 12.1
must undergo
JANT says that this statement expresses the determinism of God's plan, similar to apocalyptic texts of Daniel.
we have seen
mentioned three time