The philosopher then posed these three questions to Theodore:
"Who was not born, but died?"
"Who was born and did not die?"
"Who died and did not decay?"
To these questions, St. Theodore replied:
"Adam was not born and died."
"Enoch was born and did not die."
"Lot's wife died and did not decay."
And the saint added this advice to the philosopher:
"Heed our sound advice; depart from these useless questions and scholastic syllogisms; draw near to Christ Whom we are serving and you will receive forgiveness of sins."
The philosopher became mute from such a pointed answer and being ashamed, he departed. From this, the enormous difference is clearly seen between a pagan philosopher and a Christian saint.
The one [the philosopher] looses himself in abstractions, in cleverly twisted words, in logical provocations and in thoughtful sport while the other [the saint] directed his whole mind on the Living God and on the salvation of his soul. The one is abstract and dead, while the other is practical and alive.
