Basil: Letter 18 to Macarius & John (Background to Julian the Apostate, 362 A.D.) Look beyond the afflictions of this present realm to the “Teacher of true godliness, who always fights beside you”

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The English and Greek text can be found here

Background

The following is a very short letter written during the reign of Julian (361-363), the nephew of Constantine I the Great who later became identified as “Julian the Apostate” due to his rejection of Christianity with the promotion of Neoplatonic Hellenism in its place. It should further be noted that following his deconversion to paganism, Julian studied philosophy in Athens with both Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus. That is to say, the historical context of this letter, which deals with how one should handle affliction and injustice, is the elevation of Julian, a former colleague of Basil, from a philosophy student in the mid 350’s to ruler of Gaul to the eventual position of emperor himself (361 A.D.) amidst the background of civil war.

What we see in the letter below is an exhortation to “take the long view,” looking past the present afflictions of life in this fallen age with faith and work and an expectant, living hope in the firmness and surety of God’s coming Kingdom; for, as Basil declares, it is our Lord Jesus Christ who ever stands besides us to teach us, guide us and fight beside us.

A word for the dislocations of today!

Letter 18

The labors of the field come as no novelty to tillers of the land; sailors are not astonished if they meet a storm at sea; sweats in the summer heat are the common experience (lit.
”not a paradox” [oute paradoxos]) to the hired hinds; and to them that have chosen to live a holy life the afflictions (thlipsis) of this present world cannot come unforeseen (ἡ κατὰ τὸν ἐνεστῶτα κόσμον θλίψις ἀμελέτητος) . Each and all of these have the known and proper labor of their callings, not chosen for its own sake, but for the sake of the enjoyment of the good things to which they look forward.

What in each of these cases acts as a consolation in trouble is that which really forms the bond and link of all human life, -- hope. Now of them that labor for the fruits of the earth, or for earthly things, some enjoy only in imagination (phántasia) what they have looked for, and are altogether disappointed; and even in the case of others, where the issue has answered expectation, another hope is soon needed, so quickly has the first fled and faded out of sight.

Only of them that labor for holiness and truth are the hopes destroyed by no deception (lit. “no falsehood” [οὐ pseudos]; no issue can destroy their labors, for the kingdom of the heavens that awaits them is firm and sure. So long then as the word of truth (logos alétheias) does battle for us, never be in any wise distressed at the calumny (diabolḗ) of a lie; let no imperial threats scare you; do not be grieved at the laughter and pride (hubris) of your intimates, nor at the condemnation of those who pretend to care for you (τῶν κήδεσθαι προσποιουμένων), and who put forward, as their most attractive bait to deceive, a pretense of giving good advice.

Against them all let right reasoning (logismos orthos) do battle, calling to our side (parakaleó) Him who fights with us (sýmmakos) and is the Teacher of true godliness (eusebeia)—Our Lord Jesus Christ—for Whom to suffer is sweet, and "to die is gain."