ACC ~ 1 Timothy 4 v1c

TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS. JUSTIN MARTYR: There were prophets a very long time ago more ancient than thesewho are reputed to be philosophers, blessed and righteous and dear to God. They spoke by a divine spirit, and they oracularly predicted future events which are now taking place. They are truly called prophets. … Past events and events now taking place compel us to agree with what was spoken by them. Furthermore they deserved to be believed because of the miracles which they performed, since they were glorifying God the Creator and Father of the universe and they were announcing the Christ coming from him, his Son. The false prophets who were filled with the deceitful and filthy spirit never did nor now do this. They dare to work various supposed miracles in order to impress men, and they glorify the spirits and demons of deceit. DIALOGUE WITH TRYPHO 1.7.

DOCTRINES FOR ITCHING EARS. TERTULLIAN: These are “the doctrines” of men and “of demons” that produce for itching ears of the spirit this world’s wisdom. This is what the Lord called “foolishness.” God “chose the foolish things of the world” to confound even philosophy itself. For philosophy is the material of the world’s wisdom, the rash interpreter of the nature and the providence (dispensations) of God. ON PRESCRIPTION AGAINST HERETICS 7.

THE ARIAN HERETICS. ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA: Now concerning their blasphemous assertion who say that the Son does not perfectly know the Father, we need not wonder. Indeed, having once purposed in their mind to wage war against Christ, they impugn also these words of his, “As the Father knows Me, even so know I the Father.”… Moreover, concerning these very men, warnings are not wanting to us, for the Lord foretold, “Take heed that you are not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: do not go therefore after them.” Paul, too, having learned these things from the Savior, wrote, “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils which turn away from the truth.” EPISTLES ON THE ARIAN HERESY 2.4-5.

THEIR PERVERSE INTENTIONS. AMBROSE: As for me, indeed, would that they might have a will to hear, that they might believe—to hear with true love and meekness, as men seeking what is true and not assailing all truth. For it is written that we pay no heed to “endless fables and genealogies, which do rather raise disputes than set forward the godly edification, which is in faith. But the aim of the charge is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, whence some have erred and betaken themselves to empty babbling. For they are desirous of being teachers of the law, without understanding the words they say, nor the things whereof they speak with assurance.” In another place also the same apostle says, “Avoid foolish and ignorant questionings.”Such men, who sow disputes—that is to say, heretics—the apostle bids us leave alone. Of them he says in yet another place that “certain shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and the doctrines of devils.” OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 2.15.133-34.

THE CLOTHING OF THEIR PHRASES. ATHANASIUS: Therefore it becomes us to watch, lest some deception be conveyed under the clothing of their phrases and they lead some away from the true faith. And if they venture to advance the opinions of Arius, when they see themselves proceeding in a prosperous course, nothing remains for us but to use great boldness of speech. For we are to remember the predictions of the apostle, which he wrote to forewarn us of such heresies and which it becomes us to repeat. For we know that, as it is written, “in the latter times some shall depart from the true faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, that turn from the truth.” TO THE BISHOPS OF EGYPT 2.20.

THE MANICHAEAN HERETICS. AUGUSTINE: The fulfillment of these predictions in the Manichaeans is as clear as day to all that know them and has already been proved as fully as time permits. REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN 15.10.

1 Tim