Twelve Chapters on the Faith

Contents

1. 0The title says that each of the twelve chapters gives an anathema and an explanation.
2. 1The first anathema condemns calling Christ's body uncreated, since the risen Christ showed the marks of the nails and the lance and let his body be touched.
3. 2The second anathema condemns calling Christ's flesh of the same essence as the Godhead, since the eternal God took the form of a servant in time.
4. 3The third anathema condemns saying that Christ assumed a complete man, as if he were one of the prophets; the explanation contrasts the first, earthly Adam with the second, heavenly one.
5. 4The fourth anathema condemns saying Christ was born of a man's seed, since the Gospel says he was conceived of the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary.
6. 5The fifth anathema condemns dividing the Son before the ages from the Son in the last times, since Christ said, “Before Abraham came to be, I am.”
7. 6The sixth anathema condemns separating the one who suffered from the one who did not, since the impassible Word suffered in his own flesh.
8. 7The seventh anathema condemns saying that Christ is saved, since he is the Savior and the life.
9. 8The eighth anathema condemns separating the perfect man from God the Word, since the one Lord Jesus Christ, God the Word made man, gave himself for us.
10. 9The ninth anathema condemns calling Christ changeable or alterable, since the Lord says, “I am, and I do not change.”
11. 10The tenth anathema condemns saying that Christ assumed only part of a man, since he lays down his life and gives his flesh and blood as true food and drink.
12. 11The eleventh anathema condemns calling the Lord's body soulless or mindless, since his trouble, grief and distress show a human soul and mind.
13. 12The twelfth anathema condemns saying that Christ appeared only in seeming; the explanation recounts his human life and passions, and an epilogue urges believers to glorify Father and Spirit, avoid disputes, and believe the mystery of the incarnation without prying into it.