The concept of Fire in Christianity
Synonyms: Flame, Blaze, Inferno, Conflagration, Heat, Wildfire, Pyre, Bonfire
In Finnish: Palo; In Spanish: Fuego; In Dutch: Vuur; In German: Feuer; In Swedish: Brand; In Malay: Kebakaran; In French: Feu
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Fire'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is something that those who have repented will not see, and is an indication of a negative consequence avoided through repentance.[1] (2) One of the elements, which Varro vainly proposed to be gods and parents of gods, which is contrary to the concept of generation and birth in a god.[2] (3) This element is used in a custom by the magi, and is not able to burn or destroy the swathing-cloth given to them by Mary, and which is then treasured with the greatest honor.[3] (4) This term is associated with what will burn up the heretics who bring strange doctrines to the altar of God, which is from heaven.[4] (5) The fire represents a form of punishment that individuals may encounter, showcasing the strength of the spirit when they endure such extreme suffering to achieve something.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This is a symbolic representation of various concepts, including tribulation, suffering, passion, desire, and the Father, which is also associated with the Kingdom of God and the teachings of Jesus.[6] (2) This is the furnace of fire, where the angels will cast all the offenses, and there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.[7]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This is the heat applied in the refining process, symbolizing the trials and tests that refine and strengthen faith, and remove impurities.[8] (2) The element that fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, and the water, demonstrating divine power and acceptance.[9] (3) The metaphor used to describe the faith that spread when the members of the Church were scattered, and wherever they went, they kindled a blaze.[10] (4) This is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit, which will burn on our heads, and it has not died down, and it is a permanent possession.[11] (5) This refers to the secret fire unknown to any besides, which Caleb cherished, and which he now, at last, stretches out a hand to claim the perfect fulfillment.[12]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) These are the things that the Nethinim were responsible for lighting, and the text refers to this responsibility.[13] (2) This word is a colloquial term that is often used in place of the term lightning, with corresponding terms in the Hebrew language as well.[14] (3) The fire in Rome, which raged for nine days, led to the selection of the Christians as scapegoats, although evidence suggests Nero was not connected to it.[15] (4) The element used by Elijah to demonstrate the power of God, and which fell from heaven in response to Elijah's prayer, consuming the sacrifice and the altar.[16] (5) The means by which the first four cities (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim) were overthrown.[17]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) This is where the heifer was burnt, and where the cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were also thrown into, during the ceremonial cleansing.[18] (2) This was originally made the symbol of God, but became idolized, and was a key element in Persian worship.[19] (3) This is what the scarlet in the Babylonian curtain symbolized.[20] (4) This was a source of heat that was needed to burn the incense, which was taken from the altar of burnt offering, and the incense was put upon it.[21]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The fire is the element used in the miracle performed by Elijah to decide the controversy between God and Baal, which consumed the bullock and the altar, demonstrating divine power.[22] (2) The term refers to various applications, including destructive energies, severe trials, and punishments after death, often symbolized in religious contexts and scripture.[23]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) This element, along with the cloud, guided a selected group during their travels at night, serving as a source of direction for them.[24]
From: The Book of the Bee
(1) This is the material that weapons were made of.[25] (2) Element operating in the upper ether above the atmosphere, possessing heat but no luminosity until the creation of luminaries.[26]
From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures
(1) The fire is a phenomenon that appeared from the earth, attracting Nimrod's worship, and later served as a focal point for priests and the casting of incense, leading to the Persians' practice of worshiping it.[27] (2) This is a created element, representing heat and energy, playing a role in the creation of the world, as described in the text.[28]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) The text uses this as a central subject, exploring its nature and how it relates to the soul, and whether it can be the cause of suffering for the soul.[29]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) This is what the individual was burning with, and burning with the love of Christ.[30]
From: The city of God
(1) This is the fire that tests every man's work, and it is not the eternal fire itself, but it proves both those on the right and left, to see what they have built upon the foundation.[31]
Gnostic concept of 'Fire'
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) This element is venerated in different forms, including the 'Fire of the Stars,' 'Fire of the Sun,' and 'Fire of Lightning,' with the Mihr being the winged orb, common in Assyrian sculpture, and an important part of the Zoroastrian religion.[32] (2) These are a place of punishment associated with Orcus, from which individuals must be saved by renouncing talkativeness.[33] (3) Symbolizes the origin of generation and desire for creation, serving as a transformative element in the process of birth.[34]
From: Pistis Sophia
(1) This represents a means of purifying the sins of the whole world, as it is brought into the world by Jesus, symbolizing cleansing and transformation.[35] (2) The fire is something that will not touch a man who has not received any mysteries and is not sharing in the words of truth, when they come forth from the body, and it is associated with the rulers.[36] (3) Symbolic representation of purification and power within spiritual practices.[37]
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) The fire is one of the elements seen in the vision, and it is brought into the world by Jesus, along with water, wine, and blood, and it is for cleansing sins.[38] (2) The fire is a part of the Baptism, which is the Baptism of Fire, and the prayer is longer than the preceding one, and it is brought about by the agency of Zorokothora.[39]
The concept of Fire in local and regional sources
Fire symbolizes the temptation of sin, illustrating how it can ignite desires and lead individuals astray. This metaphor emphasizes the destructive potential of succumbing to sin's allure, paralleling the consuming nature of fire.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The fire is an element, and it is a part of Brahman, and is used as a symbol in worship, and is a subject of stories that explain and give it a higher meaning.[40] (2) This is what the orthodox, including Dr. Barrows and all the rest, are struggling hard to put out, suggesting the situation.[41] (3) The fire, a basic element, is not the speaker's true essence, as the text describes what the speaker is not.[42] (4) This metaphor suggests the arrival of inspiration, suggesting that a spark will ignite, signifying a state of intense passion and enthusiasm for a cause.[43] (5) This is the event that the individual accustomed to using their eyes and hands would be the first to put out.[44]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A powerful element symbolizing passion, strength, and intensity.[45] (2) An elemental force that is part of the expansive description of the divine.[46] (3) Symbolizes passion, warmth, or the intense emotions that connect living beings.[47]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) Fire is an element in the arrangement of the mandala based on the elements, and it is associated with the West.[48] (2) Fire is a translation of the humors, such as bile, and is linked with digestion, warmth, and other bodily functions, in the text.[49]
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) This term describes the temptation of sin.[50]