Theologian vs. Human Wisdom

The Gospel, wanting to cast down myriads of tyrants and even the devil before them and to bring us down to the ground with their foundations. Indeed the 36 rivers flowed, as the saving word says, like torrents, and fierce winds of devilish spirits struck, and the rains of those persecuting Christians burst through, and nothing stronger was seen of the fortification according to God, because the building of faith was constructed with the holy stones of the first of the apostles.

These things happened because of one word of blessing, naming the evangelist Peter. Let us see, if it seems good, how Peter builds: not with stones and bricks, nor with other earthly materials, but with words and actions made effective by the Spirit.

Therefore, when our God and Savior ascended into the heavens, while the cloud was a vehicle for the apostles to see, this man took up the teaching of the Gospel; and before all those sharing in the episcopate, opening the mouth of those raging against piety, he purified a people, and a wise orator appeared among the nations and Israel; people whose teeth were sharpened and whose minds were filled, if anyone should name Jesus.

So that what was said concerning the Lord by prophecy fits perfectly also with Peter: 'Many dogs have surrounded me, fattened bulls have enclosed me' (Psalm 71:9). But nevertheless, living by the Spirit and not grasping the command but saving what was said to him: 'Feed my lambs' (John 21:15), he cried out to a mixed people from myriads of nations; Jewish men and all those dwelling in Jerusalem.

And so that we may not speak at length, joining all the discourse together, he remembers the sayings of Joel prophesying the outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2:28); from there he moves to David, setting forth the fifteenth psalm to confirm the resurrection (Psalm 16:10); and concluding the whole word in wisdom of words and witness of the law, he immediately led the listeners on, not ten, nor a hundred, nor three or five times so many, but three thousand men, a fullness of the church, a whole people sufficient to strike the enemies, of whom they burst through in a crowd.

Oh, how persuasive a warm and fiery medicine, having cleansed the souls so sharply! Oh, wisdom!

Theologian, having covered all human wisdom! What do you say, you who crown Demosthenes according to rhetoricians and praise Socrates among philosophers? For Demosthenes, indeed, the great and much-talkative one regarding rhetoric, held himself back so much from those things he intended to persuade by, that he was even exiled from the city by the listeners; but Socrates, for the many discourses toward the Athenians and the wise discussions, found the end in the hemlock, being killed by the chorus of disciples; such was his extent in the power of persuading.

But Peter the fisherman, the craftsman, the unlearned, whom anyone would call whatever they might wish to belittle, having hunted three thousand men with a single thrust of a word, firmly established the church; and these, being discontented and rioting and not forgiving him the dividing of the beginning, split the mouth.

But having come to a sufficient increase and progress of the Christian rank, since he provided a wonderful experience toward logical teachings and exhortations and practical power, having just set the lame man upright from the temple porches, that lame man who had suffered the disease from the stroke of nature in the womb of a mother, all the people rushed to the temple, being led by the fame of the great work toward the sight, and all were looking intently at the man, being struck with amazement at the wonder; the mouths of the enemies of Christ were stopped, and the cross remained a trophy of victory, not a dream.

Again the uneducated one, the worker of the prostitute's craft, begins to speak words a second time toward them, saying: 'O men, if what has happened appears to you worthy of a wonder and of divine energy, worship the healer of the lame, Jesus, whom you despised and lastly, having surpassed him with anger, raised up on the wood. This one is and lives; and just as it was said to you many times, having risen from the dead, he reigns over all things.'

So now, therefore, having taken up the care of those among you who have sinned, come to him and be enlightened, just as your father David says (Psalm 110:4). For if you are sons of the prophets and disciples of Moses, do not dishonor the grace of your ancestors by paying attention to lying words, but having wisely observed those things proclaimed by them, receive with your souls the Savior of your race. For this is he whom...