Against Celsus 4.75

For he thinks, first, that thunders and lightnings and rains are not works of God, being by now more openly an Epicurean; and second he says that, even if one were to grant that these are works of God, they are produced as food no more for us human beings than for plants, trees, grass, and thorns, granting, like a true Epicurean, that these things happen by chance and not by providence. For if they are no more useful to us than to plants, trees, grass, and thorns, it is clear that they do not come from providence either, or else from a providence that cares no more for us than for trees, grass, and thorns. Each of these views is plainly impious; and to stand up and contradict such things against one who accuses us of impiety is simple-minded, for it is clear to everyone from what has been said who is the impious one. Then he says: "Even if you say that these grow for human beings" (clearly meaning plants, trees, grass, and thorns), "why will you say that they grow for human beings rather than for the wildest irrational animals?" Let Celsus say plainly, then, that the great variety of things growing on earth is not the work of providence, but some chance concourse of atoms has made so many qualities, and that by chance so many species of plants and trees and grass resemble one another; and that no craftsmanlike reason brought them into being, nor do they have their origin from a mind that surpasses all wonder. But we Christians, devoted to the only God who created these things, give thanks for these too to their maker, because he prepared so great a home for us, and, for our sake, for the animals that serve us: "He who makes grass spring up for the cattle, and green plants for the service of human beings, to bring forth bread from the earth, and that wine may gladden the heart of man, and his face be made cheerful with oil, and bread strengthen the heart of man." And if he has also prepared food for the wildest animals, there is nothing surprising in that; for other philosophers too have said that these animals came into being to exercise the rational animal. And one of the wise men among us says somewhere: "Do not say, 'What is this? Why is this?' For all things were created for their use," and "Do not say, 'What is this? Why is this?' For all things will be sought out in their time."