The Shepherd of Hermas
The Parables (or Similitudes)
Similitude Sixth. Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death, Falling Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment.
While in a vision Hermas sees two shepherds. One feeds in luxury and happiness supposedly free from God. The other, looking quite savage punishes the sheep. The angel explains that this discipline is temporal with the intention to learn to walk with the Lord in purity. If mankind's works are just for pleasure then they will be punished. If good work brings pleasure that is acceptable.
Of the first group, if in the process of their wanton living they also blaspheme God, that apostasy brings no hope. "Among them there is no return to life through repentance, because they have added to their other sins, and blasphemed the name of the Lord. Such men therefore, are appointed unto death." [1] If they do not blaspheme then there still is hope of repentance and restoration. [Is this some sort of application of the Unforgiveable Sin???]
Similitude Seventh. They Who Repent Must Bring Forth Fruits Worthy of Repentance.
Hermas is told that he will be punished at the hands of the other shepherd for the sins of his family as he is the head of the household. “They cannot be afflicted at all, unless you, the head of the house, be afflicted: for when you are afflicted, of necessity they also suffer affliction; but if you are in comfort, they can feel no affliction.” [2] Then the angel says this:
". . . Do you think, however, that the sins of those who repent are remitted? Not altogether, but he who repents must torture his own soul, and be exceedingly humble in all his conduct, and be afflicted with many kinds of affliction; and if he endure the afflictions that come upon him, He who created all things, and endued them with power, will assuredly have compassion, and will heal him; and this will He do when He sees the heart of every penitent pure from every evil thing." [3]
Prior knowledge of this is to be received by Hermas as a blessing and it is the assurance that the Lord is pleased with Hermas.
Similitude Eighth. The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent are of Many Kinds, But All Will Be Rewarded According to the Measure of Their Repentance and Good Works.
Hermas is shown members of the Church given branches by an angel. When called they return the branches. All the branches are in various conditions of development and fruitfulness. If the branches revealed fruit the person was crowned. If the branches were green the people were clothed in white and were permitted in the tower.
The remaining branches were given more time to reveal more of themselves. After a time some were let into the tower and some were given a place to stay in the walls around the tower. There were some that were lost. The tree is revealed to be the “Law” that is the Son of God, and the angel to be Michael, who has been placed in charge of God’s people. Those who were allowed to enter the tower were they who had suffered or been afflicted on account of the Law, or at least maintained pure hearts.
“That you may behold,” he added, “the great mercy of the Lord, that it is great and glorious, and that He has given His Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance.” “Why then, sir,” I said, “did not all these repent?” He answered, “To them whose heart He saw would become pure, and obedient to Him, He gave power to repent with the whole heart. But to them whose deceit and wickedness He perceived, and saw that they intended to repent hypocritically, He did not grant repentance, lest they should again profane His name.” [4]
[Here we have a hint of predestination, but it is a convoluted kind that is somehow based upon foreknowledge; which is, strictly speaking, pre-Arminian.] I find in these parables a lack of clarity about repentance and a Old Covenant view of 'obey or die'. There seems to be a lack of God's enabling grace and faith in the promises of Christ. I truly find these writings to be confusing.]
____________________________________
1. Schaff, Philip (2009-06-08). Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 2 - Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers) (Kindle Locations 1923-1925). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.
2. Ibid, (Kindle Locations 2034-2036).
3. Ibid, (Kindle Locations 2036-2041).
4. Ibid, (Kindle Locations 2149-2154).
No comments:
Post a Comment