We ought to take note, however, that the power of foreknowing the future
is by no means a proof of divinity; for in itself it is a thing
indifferent, and is found occurring amongst both good and bad.
Physicians, at any rate, by means of their professional skill foreknow
certain things, although their character may happen to be bad. And in
the same way also pilots, although perhaps wicked men, are able to
foretell the signs[836] [of good or bad weather], and the approach of
violent tempests of wind, and atmospheric changes,[837] because they
gather this knowledge from experience and observation, although I do not
suppose that on that account any one would term them “gods” if their
characters happened to be bad. The assertion, then, of Celsus is false,
when he says: “What could be called more divine than the power of
foreknowing and foretelling the future?” And so also is this, that “many
of the animals claim to have ideas of God;” for none of the irrational
animals possess any idea of God. And wholly false, too, is his
assertion, that “the irrational animals are nearer the society of God
[than men],” when even men who are still in a state of wickedness,
however great their progress in knowledge, are far removed from that
society. It is, then, those alone who are truly wise and sincerely
religious who are nearer to God’s society; such persons as were our
prophets, and Moses, to the latter of whom, on account of his exceeding
purity, the Scripture said: “Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but
the rest shall not come nigh.”[838]
Footnote 836:
ἐπισημασίας.
Footnote 837:
τροπάς.
Footnote 838:
Cf. Ex. xxiv. 2.