Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume III/Anti-Marcion/Against the Valentinians/XXVIII

Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III, Anti-Marcion, Against the Valentinians
by Tertullian, translated by Peter Holmes
XXVIII
155446Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III, Anti-Marcion, Against the Valentinians — XXVIIIPeter HolmesTertullian

Chapter XXVIII.—The Demiurge Cured of His Ignorance by the Saviour’s Advent, from Whom He Hears of the Great Future in Store for Himself.

Meanwhile the Demiurge, being still ignorant of everything, although he will actually have to make some announcement himself by the prophets, but is quite incapable of even this part of his duty (because they divide authority over the prophets[1] between Achamoth, the Seed, and the Demiurge), no sooner heard of the advent of Soter (Saviour) than he runs to him with haste and joy, with all his might, like the centurion in the Gospel.[2] And being enlightened by him on all points, he learns from him also of his own prospect how that he is to succeed to his mother’s place. Being thenceforth free from all care, he carries on the administration of this world, mainly under the plea of protecting the church, for as long a time as may be necessary and proper.


Footnotes

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  1. Prophetiale patrocinium.
  2. Matt. viii. 5, 6.