Eusebius of Caesarea

Author Owen Barfield used to chide his agnostic literary colleague C.S. Lewis, for his “chronological snobbery” in his early years. Barfield coined this phrase to describe the attitude that the present is superior to the past. Could the same be said of our time? We boast about our technology and increased efficiency. We preen over our heightened levels of tolerance. Clearly, our arrogance is showing. One reason we read history is to unmask the illusions and distortions of our current age. Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340) has been called “the father of church history.” His detailed review of church history from the time of the apostles until 323 AD is one of a kind. His purpose was to connect the 4th century church of which he was a part to the authentic witness of the early church in following the risen Jesus. Without his extensive ten volume work, much of what we know of early church history would be lost to us. His research was not without its prejudices and limitations. He was blinded in affection for Emperor Constantine and harsh in his condemnation of Jews as responsible for Jesus’ death. He admitted in the forward to his history, “I feel inadequate to do it justice.” Eusebius took a leading role at the Council of Nicaea in 325AD, which rejected Arius’ teaching that the Son was subordinate to the Father. Eusebius delivered the opening address and voted with the majority to adopt the Nicene Creed. He also felt the condemnation for Arius was too strong. Eusebius took the threat to the church’s unity as seriously as he did the damage done by Arius’ teachings. Eusebius’ prayer which follows here seeks to apply Jesus’ teaching on the Golden Rule (Matthew 7.12) to everyday relationships: