4 comments

  1. Jeremiah,

    Thanks for the review. Some of the same concepts are hinted at in the Unseen Realm, but excellent to hear them expanded. And your presentation is so kind.

    ” Imagers of God” I was reminded of a poignant passage in the Martyrdom of Ignatius (from the Ante Nicene Fathers):

    The Martyrdom of Ignatius–Chapter 2

    Ignatius called himself Theophorus. He was the bishop of Antioch, and condemned by Trajan as shown below, with their exchange focused on this name.

    Theophorus– Θεοφόρος (Theophoros), which was derived from the Greek elements θεος (theos) “god” and φορεω (phoreo) “to carry, to bear”. “God-bearer”

    And when he was set before the emperor Trajan, [that prince] said unto him, “Who art thou, wicked wretch, who settest thyself to transgress our commands, and persuadest others to do the same, so that they should miserably perish?” Ignatius replied, “No one ought to call Theophorus wicked; for all evil spirits have departed from the servants of God. But if, because I am an enemy to these [spirits], you call me wicked in respect to them, I quite agree with you; for inasmuch as I have Christ the King of heaven [within me], I destroy all the devices of these [evil spirits].” Trajan answered, “And who is Theophorus? “Ignatius replied, “He who has Christ within his breast.” Trajan said, “Do we not then seem to you to have the gods in our mind, whose assistance we enjoy in fighting against our enemies? “Ignatius answered, “Thou art in error when thou callest the daemons of the nations gods. For there is but one God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that are in them; and one Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, whose kingdom may I enjoy.” Trajan said, “Do you mean Him who was crucified under Pontius Pilate? “Ignatius replied, “I mean Him who crucified my sin, with him who was the inventor of it, and who has condemned [and cast down] all the deceit and malice of the devil under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart.” Trajan said, “Dost thou then carry within thee Him that was crucified? “Ignatius replied, “Truly so; for it is written, `I will dwell in them, and walk in them.'” Then Trajan pronounced sentence as follows: “We command that Ignatius, who affirms that he carries about within him Him that was crucified, be bound by soldiers, and carried to the great [city] Rome, there to be devoured by the beasts, for the gratification of the people.”

    From the translation on biblestudytools.com

    1. This is so cool, Lewis. We should all call ourselves Theophoros!

      This story is so intense. I love Ignatius’ responses to Trajan. Reminds me of Jesus before Pilate, but Ignatius was much more loquacious!

      Amazing stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Comments are closed.