By temperament Chrysostom was a maximalist and on occasion he
could be harsh and severe. However, he was always an opponent of force and
coercion in any form, even in the fight against heresy. He was against the use
of civic measures and political pressure in matters of faith and morality. "It
has been specifically forbidden for Christians to correct those who have fallen
into sin by force," he said. "We are not fighting to bring death to the living
but to bring the dead back to life, and in our struggle we must be meek and
humble . . . I persecute not by deeds, but by words, and I want to cast out not
heretics, but heresy . . . I am accustomed to endure oppression, but not to
oppress, and to bear persecution, but not to persecute. Christ was victorious in
being crucified and not in crucifying others. He did not strike out, but He
accepted blows." Chrysostom endured the condemnation of those who did not think
as he did, and in this respect his oration On Imprecation and Anathema is
a typical expression of his attitude. He saw the true power of Christianity in
meekness and endurance, not in force. It is himself with whom each man should be
severe, and not with others.
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