Monday, September 7, 2009

John Chrysostom: Sin Harmed Dominion - Scripture is Standard

But when sin came on the scene, the basis of respect also disappeared; and just as with servants, while the upright ones are objects of respect to their fellow servants, whereas those who have given offense are afraid even of their fellows, so too it is with the human beings. You see, as long as they enjoyed familiarity with God, they were frightening to the animals; but after they offended, they were then afraid even of the least of their fellow slaves. Now, if this is not so, show me on your part that the animals were frightening to the human beings - but you would not be able.

- John Chrysostom (around A.D. 347 to around A.D. 407), Sermon 3 on Genesis, in St. John Chrysostom, Eight Sermons on the Book of Genesis, pp. 57-58 (2004), Robert C. Hill translator.