Of the visions shown to Hermas by the matron, the most important is that of a tower being built upon the waters. He is often rebuked for asking too many questions the shepherd tells him, "You ought not to ask any questions at all for if it is needful to explain anything, it will be made known to you." All his questions are answered in due time. Hermas presents himself as a man of relatively small intelligence, yet one who is conscientious and intent on understanding every last detail of the visions. He is urged to forgive his family for the wrongs they have done him, so that their sins may be cleansed, “For the remembrance of wrongs worketh death.” Many times the angel warns against the recollection of offenses, whether one’s own or those of others: “Do not trample mercy under foot, He says, but rather honour Him, because he is so patient with your sins, and is not as ye are.” Hermas himself admits that he has been a habitual liar in the past. Among these evils is that his wife (whom he is now to treat as a sister) has an undisciplined tongue and his sons are lustful. God is angry with him because he has not warned his sons against sin, but Hermas is being given an opportunity to cooperate with God in healing the evils of his house. Hermas is given these visions both for his own repentance and so he can share the teachings with others.
The shepherd of hermas summary series#
These are essentially a series of sermons on moral principles delivered by the shepherd, who reveals himself as the angel in charge of repentance. In the fifth vision, the titular shepherd appears it is he who gives Hermas the Commandments and Similitudes in the second and third books. The implication is that the appearance of the Church reflects the spiritual life of her members. It is later revealed to Hermas that this transformation symbolizes the progress of his own soul.
However, each times she appears the matron looks younger and more joyful until finally she takes the form of a beautiful bride. A young man explains to Hermas that the Church appears as an old woman because she was created first of all things, and “for her sake the world was made.” In the first several visions he is spoken to by a matron who represents the Church. Walking on the road from Rome to Cumae, he falls asleep and has a vision calling him to repentance.
He is a Greek Christian who was sold in Rome as a slave and later freed. Shop: Roman Catholic "RC" Brand Original White Logo Collection MugĪt the beginning of the work Hermas introduces himself to us.
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