Worship God Alone

For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens
        (he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
        (he established it;
he did not create it empty,
        he formed it to be inhabited!):
“I am the Lord, and there is no other.”  (Isa 45:18)

Our God did not begin to be in time: He alone is without beginning, and He Himself is the beginning of all things.  God is a Spirit, not pervading matter, but the Maker of material spirits, and of the forms that are in matter.  He is invisible, impalpable, being Himself the Father of both sensible and invisible things.  Him we know from His creation, and apprehend His invisible power by His works.  I refuse to adore that workmanship which He has made for our sakes.  The sun and moon were made for us: how, then, can I adore my own servants?  How can I speak of stocks and stones as gods?  For the spirit that pervades matter is inferior to the more divine spirit; and this, even when assimilated to the soul, is not to be honored equally with the perfect God.

Tatian, Address to the Greeks 4

Is Your Assembly Characterized by the Same?

But with us there is no desire of vainglory, nor do we indulge in a variety of opinions.  For having renounced the popular and earthly, and obeying the commands of God, and following the law of the Father of immortality, we reject everything which rests upon human opinion.  Not only do the rich among us pursue our philosophy, but the poor enjoy instruction gratuitously; for the things which come from God surpass the requital of worldly gifts.  Thus we admit all who desire to hear, even old women and striplings; and, in short, persons of every age are treated by us with respect, but every kind of licentiousness is kept at a distance.  And in speaking we do not utter falsehood.… As for those who wish to learn our philosophy, we do not test them by their looks, nor do we judge of those who come to us by their outward appearance; for we argue that there may be strength of mind in all, though they may be weak in body.

Tatian, Address to the Greeks, 32