Refutation of the Sects (1959) - Page 16


β. Brigands mock these "Decrees" 229 In this context, "Decrees" refers to the fatalistic belief that stars determine human actions, a concept Eznik argues even criminals do not truly believe.	72	82
γ. Kings and judges, by punishing criminals, clearly show that these crimes are the result of their own evil will 230	72	82

II. FREE EVIL AND DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE. PREDESTINATION ON ACCOUNT OF FORESEEN MERITS original Latin: propter praevisa merita. This is a theological concept suggesting God predestines individuals based on the actions He knows they will freely choose. 231-248


1. God knows in advance the harms caused by those who are capable of doing harm 231-233	72	83
Objection of the adversaries 232	72	83
Response: God alone knows when it is necessary to check harms or give free rein to those who can do harm 233	73	83
2. God's Foreknowledge is not the cause of evils 234	73	83
3. God knows everything in advance, but there are things he wills and others he does not. — Predestination: but on account of foreseen merits 235	73	84
Conclusion to 3: 236	74	84
4. The case of Pharaoh 237-241	74	84
Objection of the adversaries 238	74	85
Response 239-241
A. How the phrase "I will harden" should be understood 239 Referring to the biblical passage where God says He will harden Pharaoh's heart; Eznik argues this is not a violation of free will.	74	85
B. God's power and long-suffering in the case of Pharaoh 240	74	85
C. Pharaoh's wavering proves that it was not God who had hardened his heart 241	74	85
5. No accounts to be demanded from God 242 A reminder of the Creator's sovereignty over the created.	75	85
6. Man obeys whomever he wishes and makes himself a "useful vessel" 243	75	86
Conclusion to 4, 5, 6 244	75	86
7. With God, there is no respect of persons 245 A biblical term meaning God does not show partiality or favoritism.	75	86
8. Return to predestination on account of foreseen merits 246	75	86
9. In God, the will desires only good things 247	76	87
10. God also wills that his rational creatures be in love with the good. Hence his economy 248 In early Christian writing, "economy" (oikonomia) refers to God's management or plan for the salvation of humanity.	76	87
Conclusion: to I (The problem of evil and freedom) and to II (Free evil and Divine Foreknowledge) and Transition to the Corollaries 249	77	88

Corollaries to I and II. On what lies outside of freedom 250-266


1. Instincts of Beasts 250	77	89
2. Instincts of Men 251	78	89
3. Dreams 252-256
Different causes of dreams 252	79	91
A. Natural dreams 253	79	91
B. Non-natural dreams 254-256

Glossary of key terms on this page: predestination, foreknowledge, Pharaoh, dreams, free will, on account of foreseen merits, divine economy, long-suffering, respect of persons.