Steven Avery
Administrator
WITNESS OF GOD IS GREATER
Eterius & Beatus (circa 730-800 AD)
• Saint Beatus of Liébana (c. 730 – c. 800) was a monk, theologian and geographer from the former Duchy of Cantabria
and Kingdom of Asturias, in modern Cantabria, northern Spain, who worked and lived in the Picos de Europa mountains
of the region of Liébana. He is best remembered today as the author of the Commentary on the Apocalypse. He is best
remembered today as the author of the Commentary on the Apocalypse, written in 776, then revised in 784 and again in
786. The Commentary was popular during the Middle Ages and survives in at least 34 manuscripts (usually called a
beatus) from the 10th through the 16th centuries. Not all of the manuscripts are complete, and some exist only in
fragmentary form. Twenty-six of these manuscripts are lavishly decorated in the Mozarabic, Romanesque, or Gothic style
of illumination. (Beatus of Liébana. Wikipedia. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatus_of_Liébana>)
• Beatus and Etherius (Bishop of Osma) was a strong opponent of the Adoptionist Christology put forward by Elipandus
(Bishop of Toledo). In Adversus Elipandum, written in response to Elipandus’ Adoptionist teachings, Beatus chastised
Elipandus for what he saw as a misuse of the word servus ("slave" or "servant"), arguing that Philippians 2 referred to
Christ’s servanthood in relation to God. (Spanish Adoptionism. Wikipedia. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Adoptionism>)
● [Letter to Elipandum. Book 1.26] If anyone will say that I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For, who
does not love his brother whom he sees, how can he love God whom he sees not? And we have this
commandment from Him: who loves God shall also love his brother. All who believe that Jesus is Christ are born
of God. And all who love Him who bore, love him who is born from Him. In this we know that we love the Son of
God, if we shall love God and do His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his
commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. Because all that is born of God conquers the world.
And this is the victory in which he conquers the world: our faith. Who is it that conquers the world except he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ. Not in
water alone, but in water and blood and flesh. And it is the Spirit who testifies that Christ is the truth.
Because there are three who give testimony on earth: the water and blood and flesh. And these three are
one. And there are three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, Word and Spirit. And these three are
one in Christ Jesus. If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. Because this is the
testimony of God that is greater which He has testified about his Son, whom He sent as Saviour upon the earth.
(commentary)
And the Son brings forward testimony when professing in Scripture. And we bring forward testimony that we have
seen Him, and we make it known to you so that you may believe. (Heterii et Sancti Beati, Ad Elipandum Epistola.
Liber 1.XXXVI; Translated by Jeroen Beekhuizen, correspondence January 2020)
Eterius & Beatus (circa 730-800 AD)
• Saint Beatus of Liébana (c. 730 – c. 800) was a monk, theologian and geographer from the former Duchy of Cantabria
and Kingdom of Asturias, in modern Cantabria, northern Spain, who worked and lived in the Picos de Europa mountains
of the region of Liébana. He is best remembered today as the author of the Commentary on the Apocalypse. He is best
remembered today as the author of the Commentary on the Apocalypse, written in 776, then revised in 784 and again in
786. The Commentary was popular during the Middle Ages and survives in at least 34 manuscripts (usually called a
beatus) from the 10th through the 16th centuries. Not all of the manuscripts are complete, and some exist only in
fragmentary form. Twenty-six of these manuscripts are lavishly decorated in the Mozarabic, Romanesque, or Gothic style
of illumination. (Beatus of Liébana. Wikipedia. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatus_of_Liébana>)
• Beatus and Etherius (Bishop of Osma) was a strong opponent of the Adoptionist Christology put forward by Elipandus
(Bishop of Toledo). In Adversus Elipandum, written in response to Elipandus’ Adoptionist teachings, Beatus chastised
Elipandus for what he saw as a misuse of the word servus ("slave" or "servant"), arguing that Philippians 2 referred to
Christ’s servanthood in relation to God. (Spanish Adoptionism. Wikipedia. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Adoptionism>)
● [Letter to Elipandum. Book 1.26] If anyone will say that I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For, who
does not love his brother whom he sees, how can he love God whom he sees not? And we have this
commandment from Him: who loves God shall also love his brother. All who believe that Jesus is Christ are born
of God. And all who love Him who bore, love him who is born from Him. In this we know that we love the Son of
God, if we shall love God and do His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his
commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. Because all that is born of God conquers the world.
And this is the victory in which he conquers the world: our faith. Who is it that conquers the world except he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ. Not in
water alone, but in water and blood and flesh. And it is the Spirit who testifies that Christ is the truth.
Because there are three who give testimony on earth: the water and blood and flesh. And these three are
one. And there are three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, Word and Spirit. And these three are
one in Christ Jesus. If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. Because this is the
testimony of God that is greater which He has testified about his Son, whom He sent as Saviour upon the earth.
(commentary)
And the Son brings forward testimony when professing in Scripture. And we bring forward testimony that we have
seen Him, and we make it known to you so that you may believe. (Heterii et Sancti Beati, Ad Elipandum Epistola.
Liber 1.XXXVI; Translated by Jeroen Beekhuizen, correspondence January 2020)
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