Sunday, December 6, 2020

Fulgentius of Ruspe and Transubstantiation

Q. Did Fulgentius advocate the Roman dogma of transubstantiation?


Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe (c. 462/67 - 527/33 A.D.):

In the time of the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed; and now, that is, in the time of the New Testament, the holy Catholic Church throughout the whole world ceases not to offer to Christ, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,with whom He possesses one Divinity', the sacrifice of bread and wine in faith and charity. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, De Fide Liber Unus, Cap. XIX [seu Reg. XVI], § 60, Col. 699). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 185). Here


But in this sacrifice is the giving of thanks and the commemoration of the flesh of Christ, which He offered for us, and of the blood which the same, Who is God, shed for us. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, De Fide Liber Unus, Cap. XIX [seu Reg. XVI], § 60, Col. 699). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 227). Here


One and the self-same Christ of mankind was made a man, compassed in a place, who of his father is God, without measure or place. One and the self-same person, as concerning his man's substance, was not in heaven when he was in earth, and forsook the earth when he ascended into heaven; but, as concerning his godly substance (which is above all measure), he neither left heaven when he came from heaven, nor he left not the earth, when he ascended into heaven; which may be known by the most certain word of Christ himself, who to shew the placing of his humanity, said to his disciples: ‘I ascend up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Also, when he had said of Lazarus that he was dead, he added, saying: ‘I am glad for your sakes, that you may believe. For I was not there.’ But to shew the unmeasurable compass of his divinity, he said to his disciples: ‘Behold, I am with you always unto the world's end. Now, how did he go up into heaven, but because he is a very man, contained within a place? Or how is he present with faithful people, but because he is very God, being without measure? (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, Ad Trasimundum, Lib. II, Cap. XVII, Col. 265). Here Trans. (Thomas Becon, The Catechism of Thomas Becon, S.t.p. Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &c., Ed. John Ayre, [Cambridge University Press, 1844], p. 278). Here


According to His true humanity, He was then locally upon earth; yet according to His Divinity (which is contained in no place), He entirely filled heaven and earth. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, Ad Trasimundum, Lib. II, Cap. XVII, Col. 265-266). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 167). Here


For that the Apostle Paul might show that the body of Christ, true man, was contained in a place, he says to the Thessalonians: How that ye turned, etc. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, Ad Trasimundum, Lib. II, Cap. XVIII, Col. 266). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 167). Here


Moreover, in the same supper, He both eat the Jewish Passover, which it was necessary to offer, and gave the Sacraments of His body and blood. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, Epistola XIV, Quæstio Quinta, § 43, Col. 431). Here  Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 227). Here



~ Soli Deo Gloria



No comments:

Post a Comment