Tatian

The means of creation was the ''dynamis logike'' ("power expressed in words"). At first there proceeded from God the [[Logos]] who, generated in the beginning, was to produce the world by creating matter from which the whole creation sprang. Creation is penetrated by the ''pneuma hylikon'', "world spirit," which is common to angels, stars, men, animals, and plants. This world spirit is lower than the divine ''pneuma,'' and becomes in man the ''psyche'' or "soul," so that on the material side and in his soul man does not differ essentially from the animals; though at the same time he is called to a peculiar union with the divine spirit, which raises him above the animals. This spirit is the image of God in man, and to it man's immortality is due.

The means of creation was the ''dynamis logike'' ("power expressed in words"). At first there proceeded from God the [[Logos]] who, generated in the beginning, was to produce the world by creating matter from which the whole creation sprang. Creation is penetrated by the ''pneuma hylikon'', "world spirit," which is common to angels, stars, men, animals, and plants. This world spirit is lower than the divine ''pneuma,'' and becomes in man the ''psyche'' or "soul," so that on the material side and in his soul man does not differ essentially from the animals; though at the same time he is called to a peculiar union with the divine spirit, which raises him above the animals. This spirit is the image of God in man, and to it man's immortality is due.

The first-born of the spirits,identified with [[Satan]], [[Fallen angel|fell]] and caused others to fall, and thus the demons originated. The fall of the spirits was brought about through their desire to separate man from God, in order that he might serve not God but them. Man, however, was implicated in this fall, lost his blessed abode and his soul was deserted by the divine spirit, and sank into the material sphere, in which only a faint reminiscence of God remained alive. Demons since acquire more material bodies. Tatian identified the pagan gods as demon, stating their leader was called [[Zeus]]. They use their knowledge and power to lure men into believing in [[destiny]], [[Magic (supernatural)|magic]], [[astrology]] and [[medicine]], the latter of which is actually a demonic deception.Rusell, p.73-76

The first-born of the spirits, identified with [[Satan]], [[Fallen angel|fell]] and caused others to fall, and thus the demons originated. The fall of the spirits was brought about through their desire to separate man from God, in order that he might serve not God but them. Man, however, was implicated in this fall, lost his blessed abode and his soul was deserted by the divine spirit, and sank into the material sphere, in which only a faint reminiscence of God remained alive. Demons since acquire more material bodies. Tatian identified the pagan gods as demon, stating their leader was called [[Zeus]]. They use their knowledge and power to lure men into believing in [[destiny]], [[Magic (supernatural)|magic]], [[astrology]] and [[medicine]], the latter of which is actually a demonic deception.Rusell, p.73-76

As by freedom man fell, so by freedom he may turn again to God. The Spirit unites with the souls of those who walk uprightly; through the prophets he reminds men of their lost likeness to God. Although Tatian does not mention the name of Jesus, his doctrine of redemption culminates in his [[Christology]].

As by freedom man fell, so by freedom he may turn again to God. The Spirit unites with the souls of those who walk uprightly; through the prophets he reminds men of their lost likeness to God. Although Tatian does not mention the name of Jesus, his doctrine of redemption culminates in his [[Christology]].