Section 78

“We Christians therefore possess the mystery not through the wisdom of Greek arguments but through the power of faith, richly supplied to us by God through Jesus Christ.

“To show that this is true, consider us now. Although we have not learned letters, we believe in God and recognize from his works his providential care over all things. And to show that our faith is active and effective, consider this also: we are sustained by faith in Christ, while you are sustained by the craft of verbal disputes.

“The wonders associated with your idols are disappearing, while our faith is spreading everywhere. With all your arguments and sophistries, you have not converted Christians to paganism. We, by teaching faith in Christ, expose your superstition, since everyone is coming to recognize that Christ is God and the Son of God.

“Your eloquence cannot stop the teaching of Christ. But simply by naming Christ crucified, we put to flight all the demons whom you fear as though they were gods.

“Where the sign of the cross is present, magic is weak and sorcery has no power.