St. Augustine on the Usefulness of Heretics

In Augustine's exposition of Psalm 55 there is a brilliant defense of the necessity of heretics within the church. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. Heretics and dissensions try, prove, and purge the church. As Augustine writes, 

"For many things lay hid in the Scriptures: and when heretics had been cut off, with questions they troubled the Church of God: then those things were opened which lay hid, and the will of God was understood."

Without heretics coming along and causing dissension with their false teachings many truths would have remain hidden because there was no need to dredge them up. It is like a snow globe which unless it is shaken remains peaceful and quiet. But once it is shaken all the snow floats around the water and perhaps even a sweet melody is played once the key is turned.

21. And His heart has drawn near Psalm 54:22. Of whom do we understand it, except of Him, by the anger of whom they have been divided? How has his heart drawn near? In such sort, that we may understand His will. For by heretics has been vindicated the Catholic Church, and by those that think evil have been proved those that think well. For many things lay hid in the Scriptures: and when heretics had been cut off, with questions they troubled the Church of God: then those things were opened which lay hid, and the will of God was understood. Thence is said in another Psalm, In order that they might be excluded that have been proved with silver. For let them be excluded, He has said, let them come forth, let them appear. Whence even in silver-working men are called excluders, that is, pressers out of form from the sort of confusion of the lump. Therefore many men that could understand and expound the Scriptures very excellently, were hidden among the people of God: but they did not declare the solution of difficult questions, when no reviler again urged them. For was the Trinity perfectly treated of before the Arians snarled thereat? Was repentance perfectly treated of before the Novatians opposed? So not perfectly of Baptism was it treated, before rebaptizers removed outside contradicted; nor of the very oneness of Christ were the doctrines clearly stated which have been stated, save after that this separation began to press upon the weak: in order that they that knew how to treat of and solve these questions (lest the weak should perish vexed with the questions of the ungodly), by their discourses and disputations should bring out unto open day the dark things of the Law.. ..This obscure sense see in what manner the Apostle brings out into light; It is needful, he says, that also heresies there be, in order that men proved may be made manifest among you. 1 Corinthians 11:19 What is men proved? Proved with silver, proved with the word. What is may be made manifest? May be brought out. Wherefore this? Because of heretics. So therefore these also have been divided because of the anger of His countenance, and His heart has drawn near.

 http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1801055.htm

St. Augustine on Theosis or Divnization

I have not published on this blog in quite a while which is a shame because I have been reading so much and learning even more. Therefore I am going to start publishing quotes of interest I come across while reading. At the moment I am reading  St. Augustine's "On the Psalms" which is volume 8 in the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers series.  In his exposition of Psalm 53 St. Augustine briefly touches on the doctrine of theosis or divinization. This is the doctrine that our salvation consists in us becoming partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and sharing in the uncreated glory which the Father gave to the Son (John 17:22). Such a doctrine of soteriology is completely at odds with the forensic justification of legal declaration of non-guilt and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ which is the basis of the Protestant doctrine of salvation. The righteousness imputed to us in the Protestant scheme is the created righteousness of Christ's human merits and not his own essential righteousness. Thus in Protestantism one is not really partaking of the divine nature or really even united to Christ.

5. What is that which looking forth we acknowledge? What is that which looking forth God acknowledges? What (because here He gives it) does He acknowledge? Hear what it is; that All have gone aside, together useless they have become: there is not one that does good, there is not so much as one. What then is that other question, but the same whereof a little before I have made mention? If, There is not one that does good, is not so much as one, no one remains to groan amid evil men. Stay, says the Lord, do not hastily give judgment. I have given to men to do well; but of Me, He says, not of themselves: for of themselves evil they are: sons of men they are, when they do evil; when well, My sons. For this thing God does, out of sons of men He makes sons of God: because out of Son of God He has made Son of Man. See what this participation is: there has been promised to us a participation of Divinity: He lies that has promised, if He is not first made partaker of mortality. For the Son of God has been made partaker of mortality, in order that mortal man may be made partaker of divinity. He that has promised that His good is to be shared with you, first with you has shared your evil: He that to you has promised divinity, shows in you love. Therefore take away that men are sons of God, there remains that they are sons of men: There is none that does good, is not so much as one.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1801053.htm