Gospel – Faith Unto Ages

The Heresy of Macro-Evolution: A Response from the Fathers

The Apostle Peter warned: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

By what did the sacred writer mean to be sober and vigilant; save being alert and on guard against enticement that comes from so great a deceiver? An ancient enemy which only seeks the ruin and destruction of souls, as evident in his initial trickery with our first parents Adam and Eve? As divine inspiration tells us, the devil had deceived Eve into believing that she would not disobey God by breaking the first law given to man, and that she would obtain knowledge that would make her ‘god-like’ (Genesis 3:4-5), despite already having the virtue of being made in God’s image and likeness. Therefore, the race of mankind was gifted with immortality, incorruptability, and rationality which all of the other visible creatures lacked.

Yet, as we know, the consequence of sin and death came into the world as a result. Seeing that he was successful in this ancient trick, he likewise continues in his ancient attempt to destroy man by attacking the faith of Christians through a series of vain philosophies and sciences; a device which was successful in capturing the belief of those that we now call atheists, rationalists, modernists, naturalists, and the like.

St. Athanasius’ defense of the Christ’s Divinity and Virgin Birth against the Jews

In St. Athanasius’ treatise ‘On the Incarnation’, he writes to a certain Macarius who was a proselyte to Christianity. Being inexperienced in apologetics, St. Athanasius had instructed him through this work to guide him on the Church’s teaching regarding the Omnipotence of the Word and His Incarnation. This was a doctrine which was challenged by both Jews and Gentiles alike; as it was a radical change from what was taught by history’s greatest philosophers, and exceeded human rationality.

For this particular post, we will be examining St. Athanasius’ rebuttal of the Jews, and how he proved the Incarnation from Holy Writ.

To initiate his rebuttal, he first addressed the Jew’s skepticism of Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection. He opens by appealing to the Old Testament scriptures; as they are shared by both Christians and the Jews alike since both religions revere them as being God inspired and therefore: authoritative, infallible, and inerrant.

To cite him directly:

“First, then, we will consider the Jews. Their unbelief has its refutation in the Scriptures which even themselves read; for from cover to cover the inspired Book clearly teaches these things both in its entirety and in its actual words”

~ (On the Incarnation, Chapter VI).

Following this, he claims that the Prophets foretold Christ’s Virgin Birth; and cites prophets such like Isaiah and Moses.

Citing the Prophet Isaiah, he said:

“Prophets foretold the marvel of the Virgin and of the Birth from her, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us’ (Isaiah 7:14)”

~ ibid.

The Importance of Studying Scripture

St. Paul tells us: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In light of the Apostle’s words, the study of scripture is evidently of great significance; considering if our goal is to grow in holiness and come to the knowledge of God, His love for us, and His Divine Will — i.e. our very salvation.

The Jewish scribe and prophet Jesus Ben Sirach tells us:

“How different is the man who devotes himself To the study of the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients And be occupied with their prophecies. He will preserve the discourse of notable men And penetrate the subtleties of parables. He will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs And be engaged in the riddles of parables. He will serve in the midst of great men And will appear before rulers. He will travel through the land of foreign nations And test the good and evil among men. He will give his heart to rising early Before the Lord who created him, And will make supplication to the Most High; And he will open his mouth in prayer And make supplication for his sins. If the great Lord wills, He will be filled with the Spirit of understanding. He will pour forth words of His wisdom, And in prayer he will give thanks to the Lord. He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, And he will reflect on His hidden things. He will reveal instruction in his teaching And boast in the law of the Lord’s covenant.” (Wisdom of Sirach 39:1-8).

There are also several church fathers that speak on the relevance of studying scripture.