HKB
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Often appears with: theurgic arts · religious persecution and toleration · porphyry · fate, destiny, and necessity · christ crucified vs wisdom of the wise
Usually: reflection (1) · crisis of belief (1) · censure (1) · skepticism (1)
“This is despised as a weak and foolish thing by those who are wise and strong in themselves; yet this is the grace which heals the weak, who do not proudly boast a blessedness of their own, but rather humbly acknowledge their real misery.” Augustine (Aurelius Augustine), Saint of Hippo, The City of God, Volume I · insight
Augustine argues that Porphyry’s theurgic arts are harmful distractions, since Christ—God’s virtue and wisdom—alone purifies the spiritual soul, while the pride of “vain science” rejects Christ’s humility and the cross.
such arts, you direct men to the theurgists, that by their means men, who do not live by the rule of the intellectual soul, may have their spiritual soul purified? 28. _How it is that Porphyry has been so blind as not to recognise the true wisdom--Christ._ You drive men, therefore, into the most palpable error. And yet you are not ashamed of doing so much harm, though you call yourself a love…