St. Ambrose: On the Holy Spirit

by Ambrose of Milan

Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397. He was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and fitly chosen, together with St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Athanasius, to uphold the venerable Chair of the Prince of the Apostles in the tribune of St. Peter's at Rome.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christian

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2010

About the author

born perhaps 340

Saint , bishop of Milan from 374, wrote, composed, and imposed orthodoxy on the early Christian Church.

This ecclesiastical figure of the 4th century most influenced. He served as consular prefect of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered, before popular acclamation. Ambrose staunchly opposed Arianism, and people accused him of fostering persecutions of Jews and pagans.

Tradition credits Ambrose with promoting "antiphonal chant", a style in which one side of the choir responds alternately, as well as Veni redemptor gentium, a hymn of Advent.

Ambrose ranks of the four original doctors of the Church, and the patron. He notably influenced Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Reviews

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, buttressing what to the modern well-fed Christian probably doesn't need support, the equality of the Holy Spirit, but through Ambrose we get to realize the heritage of faithful teaching we take for granted. His mastery of the Scriptures is so complete that he can take fragments which were mainly on another subject and assemble them to provide clear evidence to his main point.

[Adonis McReynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saint Ambrose never disappoints. Presents irrefutable evidence of the deity and person of the Holy Spirit as one with the Father and Son in the Holy Trinity. Highly recommend especially when dealing with Trinitarian heresy.

[Joseph Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Ebed-melech raised Jeremiah from the cistern, so St. Ambrose raises the Word of the Most High. That we too may raise the Word from the darkness of our hearts to the fulfillment of the faith in admitting the Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Through his exegetical asseveration St. Ambrose nullifies the heresiarchs: Sabellius (who denies the three persons of God), Photinus (denies that the Father and the Son are One) Arius (who claims Christ Jesus is a creature rather than the Creator).

Book III, Ch. XXII, s. 170: "Consider now lest perchance something may not beseem Him, or if this displease thee, O Arian, drag Him down from His fellowship with the Father and the Son. But if thou choose to drag Him down thou wilt see the heavens reversed above thee, for all their strength is from the Spirit. If thou choose to drag Him down, thou must first lay hands on God, for the Spirit is God. But how wilt thou drag Him down, Who searcheth the deep things of God?"

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is fascinating to see how the early Church formulated the foundation of the trinity. Very interesting read.

[Thomas WERNHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouvrage clair sur la divinité du St Esprit et le fait qu'il est pleinement Dieu - contre les semi ariens.