On Not Agreeing with Heretics

Contents

Reading pages: 1–8 · 9–13 · 14–15

1. 1Answering the charge that the Nicene bishops are enemies of peace, Lucifer argues from Moses' tent set outside the camp that the faithful must separate from the Arians.
2. 2From Korah's rebellion, the laws against covenants with the nations and against adultery, and the fall of Jericho, Lucifer argues that Christians may have no fellowship with Arians.
3. 3From the man of God who was killed for eating with the false prophet at Bethel, Lucifer argues that table and worship with Arians is forbidden, and calls Constantius a false prophet of peace.
4. 4From the rebukes of Jehoshaphat for his alliances with Ahab and Ahaziah and the warning to Amaziah, Lucifer argues that bishops may not be friends of a persecuting heretic emperor.
5. 5From the Psalms Lucifer argues that the blessed keep away from the counsel of the ungodly, and denounces the emperor's councils as gatherings of evildoers that exile and imprison the faithful.
6. 6From the warnings of Proverbs against the way of the wicked and the harlot, Lucifer argues that joining the Arians is spiritual adultery and leads to Gehenna.
7. 7Citing the Psalms on hating the wicked, Lucifer says the faithful cannot be friends of the emperor as his court bishops Valens, Ursacius, Epictetus and Saturninus are.
8. 8Quoting Jeremiah's indictment of Israel, Lucifer says the faithful have pronounced the Arians anathema lest they share the reproach spoken against unfaithful Israel.
9. 9Lucifer argues that heretics such as Sabellius, Marcion, Paul of Samosata and Arius have been cut off from the church like an offending member, and contrasts the Arian creed with the apostolic faith in Father, Son and Spirit.
10. 10Lucifer quotes Hebrews 3:2–4:13 on the unbelief that kept Israel from God's rest, and Peter's call to escape a crooked generation, to show that the faithful must withdraw from the Arians.
11. 11From Paul's commands to expel the incestuous man and to shun immoral brothers, Lucifer argues that heresy is spiritual sexual immorality and that the church must avoid the Arians.
12. 12From Paul's charges to Timothy to avoid false teachers and profane novelties, Lucifer argues that the faithful must keep the Nicene faith and withdraw from the emperor's councils.
13. 13From Judas Maccabeus's withdrawal to the desert, the leaven of the Pharisees, Paul's command to come out and be separate, and John's ban on greeting false teachers, Lucifer argues for complete separation from the Arians.
14. 14Lucifer argues that though Constantius confesses Christ come in the flesh, by calling the Son a creature he lacks both Father and Son, and that the faithful must avoid such heretics as children of darkness.
15. 15From Moses' treatment of the Midianite women, Paul's warning against dogs, and the Letter of Jude against ungodly intruders, Lucifer concludes that he must refuse the emperor's friendship.