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"...the essential, eternal life and love which are in God, appeared unto mankind in Christ." (I John 1)
"But Christ was rejected. The princes of this world crucified the Lord of glory. It was not the ignorance and folly of the world that rejected the Messiah; not the uncivilized barbarians, but Greeks and Romans; human culture in its highest and noblest aspect. 'The Apostle views the men who were immediately concerned in the crucifixion of Christ as represenatives of the spirit of the world, as it appears in Hellenic philosophy; they acted in the name and spirit of the antique world. (Neander) To the wisdom of the world Christ crucified appeared foolishness."
'It was not the immorality, the wickedness, the frivolity of the world that rejected Christ. While the degraded and the profligate were striving into the kingdom of God, and drawing near to listen to the holy Friend of Sinners, the religion, the piety, the theology of the world accused the Lord of blasphemy, and rejected His testimony of truth and love. The wisdom and piety of the world could discern no beauty and perfection in Christ Jesus, in whom the divine glory shone so brightly. The Spirit of the world cannot see Christ; it is necessary that the Spirit of God should descend to open human eyes and hearts to behold the Sun of Righteousness."
(Adolph Saphir - "Christ Crucified: Lectures on I Corinthians II") - London, 1873, 101-02.
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