(Telegraph) Sacred Mysteries: Hilary of Poitiers (for his feast day)–The man who gave his name to Hilary term

I suspect that people in the 4th century were better equipped than we are to discuss points of theology. But Hilary also recognised, like Wittgenstein 1,600 years later, that words can lead thinkers astray. He took a conciliatory stance towards those who said that the Son was similar to the Father, not the same. Obviously they are not the selfsame person, though the Council of Nicaea declared they are of one substance.

Anyway, Hilary wrote in a separate book, on the Psalms, that humanity finds salvation in Christ alone, Son of God and Son of man. In assuming human nature, he has united himself with every human being: “He has become the flesh of us all.”

This insight might be useful in trying to understand the puzzling question of why Jesus underwent baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. After all, Jesus had no sins to be cleansed from. 

I think Hilary agreed with Ambrose that Jesus was baptised “because he wished, not to be cleansed, but to cleanse the waters, so that they, being purified by the flesh of Christ that knew no sin, might have the power of baptism.”

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As I gear up for the start of Hilary term, I’m grateful for this primer on Hilary of Poitiers by ⁦@BeardyHowse⁩. Sacred Mysteries: The man who gave his name to Hilary term https://t.co/LGYEs5rM9o

— Fitzroy Morrissey (@fitzmorrissey) January 10, 2026