Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Theodoret of Cyprus on the incarnation

But Apollinaris, who values drivel more than truth, and who sets his homely prattle before the pious dogmas, says God the Word put on flesh and used it rather like a veil; and that, having no need of a soul, He takes the place of a soul in the body. But, my dear, someone may say to Apollinaris that God the Word had no need of a body either, for He had no lack at all. He was able even to carry out our salvation by a simple command; but He wanted also to have some properly arranged communion with us. To that end He assumed sinful nature and justified that nature by His own deeds. He set it free from the bitter tyrants, Sin and Devil and Death, and deemed it worthy of heavenly thrones, and through that which He assumed He gave to all the race a share in liberty.—Theodoret of Cyprus in William A. Jurgens, Faith of the Early Fathers, 3:242

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