002 - Against those who say that demons govern human affairs and who are displeased at the chastisement of

In these thought-provoking homilies, Chrysostom confronts the errors that plagued his contemporaries, who often used the notion of demonic dominance or fates inevitability to justify their moral weaknesses. In a time marked by moral decay, many sought to excuse their lack of resistance to evil, both within themselves and in others. Chrysostom boldly challenges this dangerous philosophy, emphasizing the vital importance of free will, moral accountability, and the necessity of vigorous effort in the face of temptation. Some critics even suggested that his stance bordered on Pelagianism, yet his powerful insights into the grip of sin on human nature and the essential need for divine grace resonate with profound clarity. - Summary by Rev. W. R. W. Stephens