Bible Study³

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: …but that even if only two in number harmoniously and deliberately define their requests, they will come to their goal… _{FRAGMENT 215}

I take this to mean whenever at least two people are gathered in the pursuit of Truth, the spirit of Christ (Logos, the spoken word) is present and will guide them.

I am of course biased, but I think it is no coincidence that science emerged within the Christian world. And although academia has tried to distance itself from God, those spaces that are dedicated to seeking truth (above money, equality, safety, etc.) still implicitly reflect Christianity.

Augustine: On things that are manifest, therefore, let us pass judgment… _{Sermon on the Mount 2.18.60}

I see many people today quoting this verse as if it means we should never judge others. But if we are called to emulate Christ, and He is the ultimate judge (He will come again to judge the living and the dead), then we must be prepared to pass judgements in our time.

Instead, I think this passage is a caution directed at those in positions of authority to only use standards of judgement that are fair, because whatever standard they choose will be turned around and applied to them too.

It is also then an inferred duty for those people being put in a position of judgement to hold their counterpart to whatever measure is being imposed against them.

From the commentary of Chrysostom and Augustine, I take this passage (and a similar one in the Gospel of Luke) to mean there are deeper truths to be found within the Biblical narrative. A surface-level or literal reading of the Bible can be like a foundation of sand.

We should instead read the Bible in search for principles that are eternally reliable and verifiable, then apply those rules or “commands” in our lives today, as we attempt to navigate the modern world.

Chrysostom: Whereas his teaching has up to now largely focused on the future kingdom … he shifts his focus to the present life … Now “rock” refers to the reliability of Jesus’ teaching. For his commands are stronger than any rock. _{The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 24.2}

Augustine: Let us consider the Scripture of God as being a field where we want to build something. Let us not be lazy or content with the surface. Let us dig more deeply until we come to rock. _{Tractates on the Gospel of John 23.1}