Was Noetus of Syrmne a denier of the historical Jesus?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:11 am
Some others are secretly introducing another doctrine, who have become disciples of one Noetus, who was a native of Smyrna, (and) lived not very long ago. This person was greatly puffed up and inflated with pride, being inspired by the conceit of a strange spirit. He alleged that Christ was the Father Himself, and that the Father Himself was born, and suffered, and died.
Thus they say they prove that God is one. And then they answer in this manner: If therefore I acknowledge Christ to be God, He is the Father Himself, if He is indeed God; and Christ suffered, being Himself God; and consequently the Father suffered, for He was the Father Himself.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0521.htm
Note that the syllogism introduced by Noetus finds another outcome, and not a historicist outcome:
- Christ is the Father Himself
- the Father can't suffer
- therefore Christ couldn't suffer.