Church Fathers 
Writings of the Church Fathers
Our Nature is not the Cause of Evil
Our nature is not the cause of evil; instead, evil is caused by a free will that is voluntarily inclined toward evil. By the same token, our nature is not the cause of righteousness, as if it were incapable of unrighteousness, but the word that we receive [cf. Mark 4:20] makes us righteous. Origen Commentary… Read More ›
Hidden Meaning of History
When we lay bare the hidden meaning of the history, scripture is seen to teach that the birth which distresses the tyrant is the beginning of the virtuous life. I am speaking of the kind of birth in which free will serves as the midwife, delivering the child amid great pain. For no one causes… Read More ›
Free Will and God’s Grace are Necessary for Spiritual Progress
Neither that which lies within our own power apart from the knowledge of God, nor mere knowledge of God — if we have not also brought something to the good — compels us to make progress. We do not become vessels for honor or dishonor solely through that which lies within our power apart from… Read More ›
Every Rational Soul has Free Will and Choice
This also is defined in the preaching of the church: every rational soul has free will and choice. The soul is in a battle against the devil, his angels, and opposing powers, because they endeavor to oppress our souls with sins. If we live rightly and prudently, we should make every effort to rid ourselves… Read More ›
Our Salvation is in Reality
O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again, but our imitation was but a figure, while our salvation is in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things have been vouchsafed to… Read More ›
Let us take up arms against them courageously
Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without being afraid of our enemies. Though unseen themselves, they can look at the face of our soul, and if they see it altered by fear, they take up arms against us all the more fiercely. For the cunning creatures have observed that we… Read More ›