ACC ~ John 3 v12

HEAVENLY THINGS ARE BEYOND THE REACH OF FOOLS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: If you out of extreme foolishness did not receive a doctrine that does not exceed the understanding human beings are capable of, how can I explain things more divine? For if people are foolish in their own matters, how do they expect to be wise in matters above them? How do those who are powerless in lesser matters expect to find the greater things intolerable? And if, he says, you do not believe me when I speak alone but rather seek many witnesses for everything, whom shall I bring to you as a witness of the heavenly mysteries? COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.1. [1]

[1] LF 43:172**.

THE CHARGE OF UNBELIEF

CHRYSOSTOM: Do not be surprised that he calls baptism earthly, for he calls it this either because it is performed on earth or as comparison with his own most awesome birth. For though this birth of ours is heavenly, yet compared with that true birth that is from the substance of the Father, it is earthly.

And he has not said, “You have not understood,” but “You have not believed.” For when the understanding cannot take in certain truths, we attribute it to our own natural deficiencies or to ignorance. But when a person does not receive things that cannot be apprehended by reasoning but only by faith, the charge against him is no longer lack of understanding but unbelief…. These truths, however, were revealed so that posterity might believe and benefit from them, even though the people then did not. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:93**.