Refutation of the Sects (1959) - Page 15

(ε) WHY, TO PUNISH, DOES GOD USE ANGELS AND NOT DEVILS? 208.................................... 67 77
(ζ) THREE OTHER FACTS PROVING THAT IT IS NOT BY NATURE THAT SATAN IS EVIL 209.................................... 68 77
    Objection of the adversaries regarding the darkness 210..... 68 77
    Response: This darkness is a torment for Satan, because it is by will that he is evil and for this reason deserves punishment 211.................................................................................... 68 77
C. Against the "Decrees" (Astrology) 212-230 Eznik uses "Decrees" to refer to the fatalistic idea that human lives are predestined by the stars....................... 68 78
    Question of the adversaries 213.............................................. 68 78
    Response 214-230................................................................... 68 78
    a. CONCERNING IRREVOCABLE "DECREES," regarding death and life, there is no mention in the Scriptures 215....... 68 78
    b. TEACHING OF THE CHALDEAN ASTROLOGERS 216-227 In this period, "Chaldeans" was a common term for those who practiced astrology and divination.
        (α) THE STARS ARE CAUSES OF BIRTH AND DEATH 216-218
            (α') Thesis 216........................................................................ 69 79
            (β') Refutation of (α') (thesis) 217-218
                (α'') By what happens in wars 217 Eznik argues that if birth stars determined death, thousands of soldiers with different stars would not all die at the same moment in battle........................... 69 79
                (β'') By the blackness of the Hindus 218 Eznik points out that everyone in India has dark skin regardless of their individual horoscopes, suggesting nature or climate is the cause, not the stars................................... 69 79
        (β) GOOD OR BAD INFLUENCE OF THIS OR THAT CELESTIAL ANIMAL IN ITS ASTRAL RESIDENCE 219-227 This refers to the signs of the Zodiac represented by animals, such as Aries (the Ram) or Leo (the Lion).
            (α') Thesis 219....................................................................... 69 79
            (β') Refutation of (α') (thesis) 220-227
                (α'') Man is superior to these animals which they have made into celestial beings 220................................................ 70 80
                (β'') These animals have life only to a minute degree: and yet they would be causes of life for men! 221-226. 70 80
                    Objection. They are alive since they move 222.... 70 81
                    Response 223-226
                        1. That which moves does not necessarily possess intellectual and rational life 223....................................................... 70 81
                        2. Therefore, the stars, although they move, do not have intellectual and rational life 224.......................... 71 81
                        3. Nor do the heavens 225............................................................ 71 81
                        4. What reality is 226................................................... 71 81
                (γ'') These animals are causes neither of royalty, nor of strength, nor of wealth 227.............................................. 71 81
    c. THE "BOOK OF FATE" 228-230 original: "Livre du Sort"
        (α) THE FUTILITY OF THEIR ASSERTION: THAT EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN THE "BOOK OF FATE" MUST FATALLY HAPPEN 228. 72 82

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