Eusebius: deceptive?

[RGL1]

Some try to discredit the Church and Bible by pointing out alleged sins in people of the early Church.

I got this quote from another thread:
http://www.christianforums.com/t2463...c-is-okey.html post #5
Bishop Eusebius, who presided over the Council of Nicea, , entitles the 32nd Chapter of his 12th Book of Evangelical Preparation:

"How it may be Lawful and Fitting to use Falsehood as a Medicine, and for the Benefit of those who Want to be Deceived."

Anyone have information about this? Is this a valid quote?

 

[jubilationtcornpone]

I wish I had seen this thread sooner! In brief, no, it's not a valid quotation.

To cut a long story short, this claim emerges from a mistranslation of what Eusebius wrote. Eusebius meant that certain fictions -- e.g. parables, narrative tales -- can be useful in promoting the kingdom. He was not referring to deliberate deceptions. (See this article for details.)

Remember Eusebius was deeply persecuted for his faith. Prior to Constantine's rule, he was imprisoned along with his mentor, Pamphilus. Pamphilus was even killed for his faith, and Eusebius surely knew this. In light of these persecutions, iis unlikely that Eusebius would deliberately attempt to promote a cause that he knew to be false.