Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons Irenaeus strongly agrees:
“We are able by the grace of God to explain some of them, while we must leave others in the hands of God.”
Against Heresies
What did the early Christians say about the mystery of God?
They did not agree. Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian and 5 others would say yes to the statement below. Clement of Alexandria, Origen and 6 others would say no.
- 15On record
- 7Would agree
- 8Would disagree
The statement in the quiz
“Some questions about God are better left alone.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
From your result on . See your result
7 early Christians
Would agree
Your side
Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons 
Tertullian c. 155 to after 220 · Carthage Tertullian strongly agrees:
“To know nothing in opposition to the rule (of faith), is to know all things.”
The Prescription against Heretics
Antony the Great c. 251 to 356 · The Egyptian desert Antony strongly agrees:
“Abba Joseph saith, "I do not know." And Abba Anthony said unto him, "In truth, Abba Joseph, thou hast found the way to say, 'I do not know.'"”
Sayings of the Desert Fathers, as the desert monks remembered it
Gregory of Nazianzus c. 329 to c. 390 · Cappadocia and Constantinople Gregory of Nazianzus agrees:
“Not to every one, my friends, does it belong to philosophize about God.”
First Theological Oration
Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan Ambrose strongly agrees:
“No man calls in question one who is better than he is: to believe is enjoined upon you, without permission to question.”
On the Christian Faith
John Chrysostom c. 347 to 407 · Antioch and Constantinople Chrysostom strongly agrees:
“Questioning is the subversion of faith. For he that seeks has not yet found.”
Homilies on First Timothy
Isaac the Syrian 7th century · Nineveh and the mountains Isaac agrees:
“By faith we are instructed about those unattainable things, not by investigation and the power of knowledge.”
Ascetical Homilies
8 early Christians
Would disagree
Your side
Justin Martyr c. 100 to c. 165 · Samaria, Ephesus and Rome Justin disagrees:
“Philosophy is, in fact, the greatest possession, and most honourable before God, to Whom it leads us and alone commends us.”
Dialogue with Trypho
Clement of Alexandria c. 150 to c. 215 · Alexandria Clement strongly disagrees:
“Faith, then, we say, we are to show must not be inert and alone, but accompanied with investigation. For I do not say that we are not to inquire at all.”
Stromata
Origen c. 185 to c. 253 · Alexandria and Caesarea Origen strongly disagrees.
On record in On First Principles.
Lactantius c. 250 to c. 325 · Nicomedia and Gaul Lactantius strongly disagrees:
“It is therefore right, especially in a matter on which the whole plan of life turns, that every one should place confidence in himself, and use his own judgment and individual capacity for the investigation and weighing of the truth.”
Divine Institutes
Macrina the Younger c. 327 to 379 · Cappadocia Macrina disagrees.
On record in On the Soul and the Resurrection, as her brother Gregory recorded her words.
Jerome c. 347 to 420 · Rome and Bethlehem Jerome disagrees.
On record in Letter to Paulinus of Nola.
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine strongly disagrees:
“Let us therefore so seek as if we should find, and so find as if we were about to seek.”
On the Trinity
Boethius c. 477 to c. 524 · Rome and Pavia Boethius strongly disagrees:
“I have long pondered this problem with such mind as I have and all the light that God has lent me.”
Theological Tractates
What they said
More questions
- The Bible's stories “In many Bible stories, the deeper meaning matters more than the history.”
- Family and calling “If you believe God is calling you, follow, even if your family begs you not to.”
- Who belongs in church “A church should keep out people who openly live in serious wrongdoing.”
- War “A Christian can fight in a just war with a clear conscience.”
your turn
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.