And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7
“Let us rise and go to our fathers, and say unto them, “We anathematize the Arian heresy, and we acknowledge the Nicene Council:” for against this is their quarrel. Who then, with ever so little understanding, will bear them any longer? Who, on hearing in every Council some things taken away and others added, but comprehends their treachery and secret depravity against Christ? Who on seeing them embodying to so great a length both their profession of faith, and their own exculpation, but sees that they are giving sentence against themselves, and studiously writing much which may likely by an officious display and abundance of words to seduce the simple and huge what they are in point of heresy? But as the heathen, as the Lord said, using vain words in their prayers, are nothing profited.”
Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373) in “History of Arian Opinions” 2.19 in Saint Athanasius of Alexandria Selection: 5 Books (London: Aeterna, 2016) 274-275. Athanasius is the fourth of the Four Doctors of the Eastern Church to explore on the topic of abundance.
As expected, the theme of abundance in the thinking of Athanasius targets the tact of the heretics that he dedicated his life to battle. They use an “abundance of words to seduce the simple.” He calls them to embrace the outcome of the Nicene Council, which we know as the Nicene Creed (A.D. 325), which reads as follows:
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven; He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
I am researching the early church councils as I will teach on the councils in the Scriptures today at the CLA conference in Dallas. I will share material from a manuscript of a forthcoming ECFA Press book. It specifically sets forth a biblical perspective on board governance and reports how the early church councils followed the pattern of the Jerusalem Council.
Often, I feel like I can identify with Athanasius. What irks me most (and likely irked him too) is “treachery and secret depravity against Christ.” The treachery is that people who seem to be “close” to Christ act like they think they know better than to obey His teachings on money. They rationalize disobedience to some points, and in so doing, lead many to a counterfeit faith.
Many went astray in the times of Athanasius and many are going astray today. My generosity (and yours) comes into view as helping people align their lives with the teachings of Jesus on money. Sadly, some will follow, and some won’t. As others before me have noted: those who pick and choose which teachings of Jesus to obey, believe not in Him but in themselves.