ACC ~ John 1 v18a
GOD WAS SEEN IN MANY WAYS
EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: From the text “No one has seen God at any time,” perhaps it might be thought that the above quotation contradicts the Savior’s words, as implying that the invisible is visible. But if they are understood, like our former quotations, of the Word of God, who was seen by the fathers “in many and various ways,” [1] no contradiction is involved. PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 5.18.3. [2]
[1] Heb 1:1.
[2] POG 1:262*.
THE VISION OF GOD
PSEUDO-DIONYSIUS: Scripture has clearly shown that “no one ever has seen” or ever will see the being of God in all its hiddenness. Of course God has appeared to certain pious persons in ways that were in keeping with his divinity. He has come in certain sacred visions fashioned to suit the beholders. This kind of vision, that is to say, where the formless God is represented in forms, is rightly described by theological discourse as theophany. The recipients of such visions are lifted up to the divine. They are granted divine enlightenment and are somehow initiated in the divine things themselves. CELESTIAL HIERARCHY 4.3. [1]
[1] PDCW 157.
HE WAS MADE MANIFEST IN FLESH
THEODORET OF CYR: So when we use religious arguments and rely on divine denials that explicitly state that “no one has ever seen God,” we are saying that they have seen, not the divine nature but certain visions adapted to their capability. [1] …
Let us think about the angels in the same way, then, when we hear, “They see the face of your Father daily.” [2] For they do not see the divine substance, which is infinite, unlimited, incomprehensible and embraces all things, but rather a certain glory that is adapted to their own nature….
After becoming human, however, he is also seen by angels, according to the divine apostle, not in a likeness of glory, but using the true and living cloak of flesh as though it were a veil. For he says, “Who was made manifest in flesh, was vindicated in spirit, was seen by angels.” [3] DIALOGUE 1. [4]
[1] Theodore makes a similar point in his commentary.
[2] Mt 18:10.
[3] 1 Tim 3:16.
[4] FC 106:44.
CHRIST APPEARED TO MOSES, BUT NOT IN HIS ESSENCE
AUGUSTINE: In case anyone might say, “And did not grace and truth come through Moses who saw God?” immediately he adds, “No one has seen God at any time.” And how did God become known to Moses? He became known because the Lord revealed himself to his servant. What Lord? It was the same Christ who sent the law beforehand by his servant so that he might himself come with grace and truth…. And he who knew the Father, being in the secret place of the Father, [1] declared him. “For no one has seen God at any time.” He then came and narrated whatever he saw. What did Moses see? Moses saw a cloud, an angel, a fire. All that is of the creature bore the type of its Lord, but they did not manifest the presence of the Lord himself. For you have it plainly stated in the law, “And Moses spoke with the Lord face to face, as a friend with his friend.” [2] … An angel then spoke with Moses, my brothers, bearing the type of the Lord; and all those things that were done by the angel promised that future grace and truth. Those who examine the law know this well….
But know also this, that all those things that were seen in bodily form were not that substance of God. For we saw those things with the eyes of the flesh—how is the substance of God seen? Interrogate the Gospel: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” [3] There have been those who, deceived by the vanity of their hearts, have said: The Father is invisible, but the Son is visible. What do they mean by visible? If they mean on account of his flesh, because he took flesh, the matter is clear. For of those who saw the flesh of Christ, some believed, some crucified. And those who believed doubted when he was crucified. Unless they had touched the flesh after the resurrection, their faith would not have even been recalled. If, then, the Son was visible because of his flesh, we grant this, and it is the catholic faith. But if before he took flesh, that is, if before he became incarnate they say they saw the Son, they are greatly deluded and making a horrible mistake. For those visible and bodily appearances took place through the creature, in which a type might be exhibited. But there is no way that the substance itself was shown and made known. Listen, beloved, to this easy proof. The wisdom of God cannot be beheld by the eyes. Brothers, if Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God, [4] if Christ is the Word of God, and if the word of man [humankind] is not seen with the eyes, can the Word of God be seen in this way? TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 4.17-18. [5]
[1] Augustine calls the”bosom” of the Father his secret place, which only the Son knows.
[2] Ex 33:11.
[3] Mt 5:8.
[4] 1 Cor 1:24.
[5] HE WORD IN THE BEGINNING | JOHN 1:1
THE ONLY BEGOTTEN GOD DECLARES THE INVISIBLE FATHER
IRENAEUS: Clearly the Father is indeed invisible, of whom also the Lord said, “No one has seen God at any time.” But his Word, as he himself willed it and for the benefit of those who beheld it, did show the Father’s brightness and explained his purposes—as also the Lord said, “The only begotten God, [1] which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared [him].” And, he himself also interprets the Word of the Father as being rich and great. He appeared not only in one figure or in one character to those who saw him, but according to whatever purpose or effect he was aiming for in his plan of salvation. [2] AGAINST HERESIES 4.20.11. [3]
[1] Irenaeus also calls him”the only begotten Son” in Against Heresies 3.11.6. See also Marius Victorinus Against Arius 1.B1.2.3.e.53.
[2] He cites Dan 3:26; 7:4, 13-14 and numerous texts from Revelation.
[3] ANF 1:491**. See also Hilary of Poitiers On the Trinity 4.42.
CHRIST IS THE INTERPRETER OF THE GODHEAD
AMBROSE: For Christ is the interpreter of the Godhead, because “no one has at any time seen God, except the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him.” JOSEPH 14.84. [1]
[1] FC 65:237.
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