Neil S.
In the “Letter to Ctesiphon” against Pelagius written by Jerome in the Early 4th century he focuses on nine major points: New Heresy with Ancient Roots; Sinlessness, Catalog of Heretics; Heretics and Women; Grace and Freewill; God’s Commands; Evil Nature(s); Being and Being Able and Sins of the Righteous.
Within these topics Jerome holds firm to his stance against Pelagianism. In the Salutation: New Heresy, Ancient Roots Jerome plainly states that these are not new arguments, but arguments born out of ancient roots. Born of pride and false humility; equalizing oneself to God: For no one is born without vices but behold the one who is not controlled by them.
Sinlessness is an unreal ideal that is brought forth from the forefathers of the heretics: The Philosophers. For only they put forth so much thought that faith was overcome by reason thus extinguishing the flame of truth. To say that anamartetos is a reality is really one who is deceiving themselves as well as the simple and unlearned, competing for followers.
The Catalog of Heretics is a list of self-proclaimed Wise man, all manipulating the course of man to gain these followers. Deceived by the devil to corrupt the true message.
Just as Jerome states in “Heretics and Women”: These followers are born about by every breeze in teaching, always learning and never coming to the knowledge of truth. For example, Simon Magus uses Helena, Nicholas uses female choruses, Marcion sent a woman ahead to Rome. These are just a few examples of the corruption to the truth. These self-pro-claimed Wiseman using women to help spread their disease.
For it is upon “Grace and Freewill” that these messages are anchored in the fertile soil of those eager to learn the truth. Saying that the law is only a helper and not a course set for us to sail. Believing that Free will is the freedom to do as one wishes rather than the choice to do what is right. For we are guided by the Lord and must choose good over evil.
Jerome drops the hammer in “God’s Commands” when he say if these commands are so easy to follow why is it that you cannot show me one man that has fulfilled them all? For it is evil nature with in us that must be transformed through the abiding of these laws and the use of freewill to choose what is good thus attaining Grace. Jerome says; “Don’t Level this charge at me, but at the apostle, who knew the difference between God and humanity, between weakness of flesh and the strength of spirit. “Indeed the flesh desires against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, and these are enemy to each other, as we do not want to do the things we do” (Gal. 5:17) Jerome 207
For it is proof among men that righteousness is not without sin. The scriptures are full of examples and upon greater examination these men are credited with a greater part of virtue bestowed upon them through charity for the destruction of all who stand against.
Lynch tells about how Jerome became an ascetic, eventually translating scriptures into Latin. Thus giving the word to those who had not yet received it. He went about spreading the “Good News” and helping those who needed it. Once his favor ran out in Rome when Pope Damasius died he traveled, living as a hermit for a bit then moved to Palestine where a follower founded a monastery where he lived out his life translating text that exalted virginity and defended his view of Mary remaining a virgin.
In the “Letter to Ctesiphon” against Pelagius written by Jerome in the Early 4th century he focuses on nine major points: New Heresy with Ancient Roots; Sinlessness, Catalog of Heretics; Heretics and Women; Grace and Freewill; God’s Commands; Evil Nature(s); Being and Being Able and Sins of the Righteous.
Within these topics Jerome holds firm to his stance against Pelagianism. In the Salutation: New Heresy, Ancient Roots Jerome plainly states that these are not new arguments, but arguments born out of ancient roots. Born of pride and false humility; equalizing oneself to God: For no one is born without vices but behold the one who is not controlled by them.
Sinlessness is an unreal ideal that is brought forth from the forefathers of the heretics: The Philosophers. For only they put forth so much thought that faith was overcome by reason thus extinguishing the flame of truth. To say that anamartetos is a reality is really one who is deceiving themselves as well as the simple and unlearned, competing for followers.
The Catalog of Heretics is a list of self-proclaimed Wise man, all manipulating the course of man to gain these followers. Deceived by the devil to corrupt the true message.
Just as Jerome states in “Heretics and Women”: These followers are born about by every breeze in teaching, always learning and never coming to the knowledge of truth. For example, Simon Magus uses Helena, Nicholas uses female choruses, Marcion sent a woman ahead to Rome. These are just a few examples of the corruption to the truth. These self-pro-claimed Wiseman using women to help spread their disease.
For it is upon “Grace and Freewill” that these messages are anchored in the fertile soil of those eager to learn the truth. Saying that the law is only a helper and not a course set for us to sail. Believing that Free will is the freedom to do as one wishes rather than the choice to do what is right. For we are guided by the Lord and must choose good over evil.
Jerome drops the hammer in “God’s Commands” when he say if these commands are so easy to follow why is it that you cannot show me one man that has fulfilled them all? For it is evil nature with in us that must be transformed through the abiding of these laws and the use of freewill to choose what is good thus attaining Grace. Jerome says; “Don’t Level this charge at me, but at the apostle, who knew the difference between God and humanity, between weakness of flesh and the strength of spirit. “Indeed the flesh desires against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, and these are enemy to each other, as we do not want to do the things we do” (Gal. 5:17) Jerome 207
For it is proof among men that righteousness is not without sin. The scriptures are full of examples and upon greater examination these men are credited with a greater part of virtue bestowed upon them through charity for the destruction of all who stand against.
Lynch tells about how Jerome became an ascetic, eventually translating scriptures into Latin. Thus giving the word to those who had not yet received it. He went about spreading the “Good News” and helping those who needed it. Once his favor ran out in Rome when Pope Damasius died he traveled, living as a hermit for a bit then moved to Palestine where a follower founded a monastery where he lived out his life translating text that exalted virginity and defended his view of Mary remaining a virgin.