We say, and we say openly, and while ye torture us, mangled and gory we cry out, "We worship God through Christ!" Believe Him a man: it is through Him and in Him that God willeth Himself to be known and worshipped.
Interpretation
This quote expresses the belief that true knowledge and worship of God come through the understanding of Christ's humanity.
Tertullian emphasizes the importance of recognizing Christ as both divine and human, arguing that through Christ, humanity can fully comprehend and connect with God. He asserts that even in the face of suffering and torture, this understanding allows the faithful to proclaim their devotion to God, highlighting the profound relationship between Christ, God, and worship.
In practice
A sermon discussing the importance of faith during times of trial.
Whatever is born is the work of God. So whatever is plastered on, is the devil's work.... How unworthy of the Christian name it is to wear a fictitious face - you on whom simplicity in every form is enjoined! You, to whom lying with the tongue is not lawful, are lying in appearance.
Nature soaks every evil with either fear or shame.
Examine then, and see if He be not the dispenser of kingdoms, who is Lord at once of the world which is ruled, and of man himself who rules; if He have not ordained the changes of dynasties, with their appointed seasons, who was before all time, and made the world a body of times; if the rise and the fall of states are not the work of Him, under whose sovereignty the human race once existed without states at all.
For it is really better for us not to know a thing, because [God] has not revealed it to us, than to know it according to man’s wisdom, because he has been bold enough to assume it.
The first reaction to truth is hatred.
Against Him those women sin who torment their skin with potions, stain their cheeks with rouge and extend the line of their eyes with black coloring. Doubtless they are dissatisfied with God's plastic skill. In their own persons they convict and censure the Artificer of all things.
Metaphysical thinking will always no doubt be a strong element in her mentality, and it is to be hoped that she will never lose her great, her sovereign powers in that direction.
We're all complicit in the things we may be trying to oppose. I'm complicit in the things that I'm trying to oppose.
In the uttermost meaning of the words, thought is devout, and devotion is thought. Deep calls unto deep.
What I'm saying is that I'm trying to find rational reasons to explain irrational feelings, and that's neveer a good sign.
The more images I gathered from the past, I said, the more unlikely it seemed to me that the past had actually happened in this or that way, for nothing about it could be called normal: most of it was absurd, and if not absurd, then appalling.
Weak character will neutralize all of the other possible good qualities a person might possess.
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