Letter from Andrew of Samosata to Rabbula

Andrew of Samosata to Mar Rabbula To my lord, who is wholly God-fearing, the holy and pious bishop Rabbula, Andrew in the Lord sends greetings. A man came previously from you to inform me that in many letters concerning me, the fear of God that is in you is manifested, and not only secretly but also openly. Moreover, you have excommunicated before the church, and after other things. And when that which is in the beginning was the Word, he was heard sinning; and that which is in the world was, and the world was in his hand; and the bloom of his glory and the image of his person of the Father; and all things that are like these. For the only one of the Father, who is understood before the worlds, was sinning. When, moreover, you read again the book of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham; and that which was a great youth and was strengthened in spirit; and Jesus was great in stature and in wisdom; and that God greatly exalted him and gave him a name better than all his names; and if there is anything that resembles these, to that which is from the seed of Abraham you attach it. And after other things. Of the likeness of God and the likeness of a servant. And of flesh and the Word. And of temple and dweller. But if he who is only God says, while not being understood with him outside of man. And again, if you do not see that which is in him, from all sides you raise him up to one. And after other things. A man approaches from the festivals of your teaching, desiring to learn. For this reason, what? And not for him to teach what he says. That concerning Christ he preaches, what then is fitting? As if the likeness of God alone is and is equal with God. But the likeness of a servant for your sake he does not take, so then does he deny entirely in the wilderness? But he teaches that God is the one who took the place of man for our sake. The letter is completed.