Rufinus: A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed

Ancient Christian Writers #20

by Tyrannius Rufinus, Thomas C. Lawler (Editor)

His most important work, aimed at persons under instruction for the sacraments, the Commentary offers a guide to elucidating and justifying the Creed. It offers a glimpse of popular Christian propaganda at the beginning of the fifth century.

Genres: Theology

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1955

Reviews

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le commentaire du Crédo de Rufin est une exposition du Crédo datant du IVe siècle. Il reprend article après article, en exposant le sens précis et le soutien exégétique de ces sentences. Ce traité est donc très intéressant pour savoir comment l'Eglise du IVe siècle comprenait le crédo, et surtout découvrir sa méthode d'exégèse et d'argumentation biblique. J'ai énormément aimé sa digression sur les prophéties de la crucifixion, où l'on découvre une exégèse patristique tout à fait au point, et très riche. Je recommande, surtout qu'il est facile à lire.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct treatment of the Apostles' Creed, particularly of interest for its giving us a sense of the development of the creed, and particularly its comparison of differences in the language of Rufinus' creed and the Roman and Eastern creeds.

Rufinus also works within the early Christian hermeneutical tradition, giving us fascinating readings of Mary's perpetual virginity from Ezekiel 44 and a number of typological elements related to the crucifixion. His emphasis on showing fulfilled prophecy in relation to NT teaching also fits right in with early Christian argumentation and tradition.

[Damos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read to see the thoughts of the faith from the past. I do recommend all to read it

[Anna Elizabeth]

"Or take fire: its nature is much humbler than the things we have been discussing. Yen on one believes fire to be polluted through having foul or repulsive matter thrust on to it. If there is general agreement about this in the case of material things, do you really imagine that any pollution or defilement can result in the case of the supreme, incorporeal nature which transcends fire and light?" p. 46

"Thus, with the soul acting as medium and containing the Word of God in the secret citadel of rational spirit, God was born from the Virgin without any of that loss of majesty" p. 47

On belief, which is the reason of the creed: At some point, we will be pressed to believe things that are illogical. For some, the existence of aliens seem a plausible thing to place logical belief in. Rufinus uses the example of Greek mythology, a God being born from another God's body (those born from Jupiter), or a God being born from sea foam (Venus).

Apologetics and Belief: It has been my experience that many will profess faith in Christ, though with heavy contingency. Many believe in Christ, though not as a miracle worker, not as one raised from the dead, not as one who commissioned a church, etc... It's a great exercise a) ask yourself, and others if and what they believe about Christ. It may be that one only believes a man by the name of Jesus once lived. Then b) to press what I/they actually believe about Christ, and what are the contingencies.

"Only He who Himself knows no stain of sin could abolish the sins of all men, at any rate of those who had marked the doorposts of their faith with His blood." p. 51