And whatever both philosophers and poets said about the immortality of the soul or punishments after death or of the contemplation of the heavens or other such doctrines, they have been able to know and have expounded by beginning from the prophets (παρὰ τῶν προφητῶν τὰς ἀφορμὰς λαβόντες); hence there appear to be seeds of truth among all. (Ap. 44.9–10) If seeds of truth are present in human beings, it is as the result of their acquaintance with Scripture. Whatever one thinks of the possibility