Hexameron, Paradise, and Cain and Abel
Overview
St. Ambrose was an archbishop of Milan and one of the most influential figures of the fourth century. He is one of the original four Doctors of the Church and Latin theologians. His writings had a direct influence on St. Augustine, and his intense ecclesiastical awareness expanded and reinforced the Church’s sacerdotal ministry and the high standards of Christian ethics. He furthered fourth-century Mariology, Christology, and soteriology, and allegedly ended Arianism in his diocese, Milan. These volumes of his collected and translated writings bring the intensity of his ancient rhetoric back to the present, allowing us an unusually full glimpse at the early church.
For The Fathers of the Church series in its entirety, see Fathers of the Church Series (127 vols.).
Key Features
- Quality translation of Ambrose’s thoughts are well-suited for modern scholarship
- Introduction provides background on both the author and the era in which he ministered
- One of 127 published volumes in a well-respected series on the Church Fathers
Top Highlights
“Let us gain His favor by beseeching Him to rescue and free us from the cares of this world as from some cruel and boorish master.10 Let the substance of our prayers be that we be released from slavery11 to this world, so that we may obtain the liberty of celestial knowledge, wherein alone is true freedom.” (Page 410)
“Your soul is made to the image of God, whereas your body is related to the beasts. In one there is the holy seal of imitation of the divine. In the other there is found base association with beasts and wild animals.” (Page 256)
“This is a warning that no one ought to rely on himself, for she who was made for assistance needs the protection of a man.4 The head of the woman is man, who, while he believed that he would have the assistance of his wife, fell because of her.5 Wherefore, no one ought to entrust himself lightly to another unless he has first put that person’s virtue to the test. Neither should he claim for himself in the role of protector one whom he believes is subservient to him. Rather, a person should share his grace with another. Especially is this true of one who is in the position of greater strength and one who plays the part of protector.” (Page 302)
“The solution, unless I am mistaken, lies in the fact that, since disobedience was the cause of death, for that very reason, not God, but man himself, was the agent of his own death. If, for example, a physician were to prescribe to a patient what he thought should be avoided, and if the patient felt that these prohibitions were unnecessary, the physician is not responsible for the patient’s death. Surely in that case the patient is guilty of causing his own death. Hence, God as a good physician forbade Adam to eat what would be injurious to him.” (Page 313)
- Title: Hexameron, Paradise, and Cain and Abel
- Author: Ambrose of Milan
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 42
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 1961
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 468
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Genesis 1:1-4:26 › Sermons; Sermons, Latin › Translations into English; Sermons, Early Christian
- ISBN: 813200423
- Resource ID: LLS:HXMRNPRDSCNBL
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:03:25Z