Hexameron, Paradise, and Cain and Abel

The Fathers of the Church #42

by Ambrose of Milan

Book by Ambrose

Genres: Religion

Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

born perhaps 340

Saint , bishop of Milan from 374, wrote, composed, and imposed orthodoxy on the early Christian Church.

This ecclesiastical figure of the 4th century most influenced. He served as consular prefect of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered, before popular acclamation. Ambrose staunchly opposed Arianism, and people accused him of fostering persecutions of Jews and pagans.

Tradition credits Ambrose with promoting "antiphonal chant", a style in which one side of the choir responds alternately, as well as Veni redemptor gentium, a hymn of Advent.

Ambrose ranks of the four original doctors of the Church, and the patron. He notably influenced Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Reviews

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dude was high.

[Adonis McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is poetry in motion filled with wisdom and divine truth.

Let us, therefore, not fear one who is so weak that he (the Devil) is destined to fall from heaven. He actually received the power to tempt us but not the competency to subvert us, except when our weak and unassisted will falters because it is powerless to summon aid. For that reason we need to know what was the nature of the deceit inflicted on the first man. We ought to know, too, the method and manner of the Devil’s procedure and what in man he thought was subject to temptation, so that we, in knowing this, may proceed to take precautions."

Saint Ambrose of Milan

[Stewart Lindstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the Hexameron , which is a commentary on the Creation account from Genesis, replete with references to the Georgics and Horace's poetry.

It is essentially a long bestiary, taking spiritual analogies from Creation, often delightful, but at times tediously methodical.