Michael W. Holmes > Quotes

“Polycarp replied, “For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English

“Leave me as I am; for the one who enables me to endure the fire will also enable me to remain on the pyre without moving, even without the sense of security that you get from the nails.” Polycarp’s Prayer”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English

“This is why they were persecuted, being inspired as they were by his grace in order that those who are disobedient might be fully convinced that there is one God who revealed himself through Jesus Christ his Son, who is his Word that came forth from silence, who in every respect pleased the one who sent him.”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English

“In the ancient world religion was always closely linked to politics because dominant social groups realized that religion offered an effective means to legitimize and maintain their power and dominance”
― Michael W. Holmes, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

“When he sent him, he did so as one who saves by persuasion, not compulsion, for compulsion is no attribute of God. 5 When he sent him, he did so as one calling, not pursuing; when he sent him, he did so as one loving, not judging.”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English

“For when you are subject to the bishop as to Jesus Christ, it is evident to me that you are living not in accordance with human standards but in accordance with Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that by believing in his death you might escape death.”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English

“It is the way of persecutors of good people, of those who hate truth, love a lie, do not know the reward of righteousness, do not adhere to what is good or to righteous judgment, who are vigilant not for what is good but for what is evil, from whom gentleness and patience are far removed, who love worthless things, pursue a reward, have no mercy for the poor, do not work on behalf of the oppressed, do not know the one who made them, are murderers of children, corrupters of God’s creation, who turn away from someone in need, who oppress the afflicted, are advocates of the wealthy, lawless judges of the poor, utterly sinful. May you be delivered, children, from all these things!”
― Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers in English