A Treatise on the Anger of God

English · 1871 · 1h 57m · Christianity - Other, Biography & Autobiography, Essays & Short Works

The materials for a biography of Lactantius are very meagre. He was more occupied in study and writing, than in the scenes of active life; and consequently, the incidents are but few. He was born in the third century, not far from the year 250. There is no information as to the place of his birth... But as he was educated at Sicca, in Numidia, under Arnobius, a distinguished teacher of rhetoric, the conclusion is more probable that he was born in Africa. From Nicomedia he was called, at an advanced period of life, into Gaul, by Constantine the Great, to be preceptor of his eldest son, Crispus, who had already been advanced to the rank of Cesar in the imperial government, and was regarded as the presumptive heir of the empire...As Crispus was much occupied with the cares of government, the labors of Lactantius, in his honorable position, could not have been very regular, nor pressing. According to Eusebius, however, they met with an ample return, in the excellent character which they formed, or fostered, in Crispus... He lived to a good old age, and died about the year 325, probably at Treves, which was the capital of Gaul, and had been the residence of Crispus.

Lactantius is known to us mainly as an author. The works of his which have come down to our day, are mostly religious treatises of a philosophical character, the aim of which was, to sap the foundations of the heathen religion then prevalent in the Roman empire, and to vindicate the religion of Christ. It is from this point of view that he ought to be judged; for however defective, or erroneous even, in some respects was his conception of Christianity, it was not so much his purpose systematically to exhibit its doctrines, as favorably to impress intelligent pagans in regard to it, and to confirm, in those days of trial and persecution, the wavering faith of many professed disciples of Jesus. For this work he seems to have been eminently qualified. His reading was very extensive, particularly of authors, both in prose and poetry, in whose works the current moral and religious principles were presented, either systematically or more incidentally. To such authors he refers with much copiousness and facility, and turns them to account, by showing their coincidence with dis own views, or by exposing their errors. Besides his ample stores of learning, which could not but ensure him respect, the familiar acquaintance which he possessed with the works of the best writers, and the intellectual habits which, as a rhetorician, he was led to cultivate, secured for him the advantages of an attractive style of writing.

A Treatise on the Anger of God [is written] in opposition to the Epicurean dogma, that the Supreme Being exercises neither anger, nor favor, towards men, but is wholly indifferent to their concerns; and to the doctrine of the Stoics, that is God is only merciful, to the exclusion of anger. - Summary by Christian Review - September 1845