On the incarnation the incarnation of jesus christ was a time in history when gods word entered into the life of humans. Thomas, a band of armed men burst in to secure his arrest. Johns expression, the word became flesh, 82 the church calls incarnation the fact that the son of god assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. Athanasius seems to make sweeping statements about jesus saving all humanity quite often, and never mentions eternal torment in. Saint athanasius english, with an introduction by c. Athanasius in the fourth century, it expounds with simplicity the theological vision defended at the councils of nicaea and constantinople. On the incarnation contains the reflections of athanasius of alexandria, upon the subjects of christ, his purpose on earth, and the nature of the holy spirit. On the incarnation was written over 1500 years ago by the bishop of the church in alexandria, egypt. Recommended reading on the incarnation, athanasius of alexandria. On the incarnation is the second half of a two part treatise and in it athanasius covers creation, the fall, and the incarnation and resurrection as well as some refutations to common objections from jews and greeks regarding the son, or as he calls him, the god word.
Athanasius stood contra mundum against the world in defense of the biblical doctrine of christ. In the midst of heated doctrinal disputes among bishops, and rivalry and intrigue among. Athanasiuss work remains even today the definitive statement of orthodox trinitarianism. Athanasius wrote on the incarnation to explain why christ became a human thus,it was the earliest writing we have soley dedicated to answer this question it is like anselms cur deo homo but about 700 years earlier. Athanasius, doctor of the church catholic news agency. Athanasius, also called saint athanasius of alexandria or saint athanasius the apostolic, born c. Athanasius second treatise written to marcarius, on the incarnation, is an apologetic work in which athanasius considers the. Upon hearing ariuss false teaching, athanasius immediately refuted the idea that the son is not eternal. The incarnation brought with it multiple effects that were meant to rebuild the connection between god and his people. Discredit, from the date of the incarnation, of idolcultus, oracles, mythologies, demoniacal energy, magic, and gentile philosophy.
The fourth century bishop is known as the father of orthodoxy for his absolute dedication to the doctrine of christs divinity. Athanasios particularly on the incarnation and the life of st. Download this ebook in pdf format from church father athanasius, on the incarnation of the word. On the incarnation quotes by athanasius of alexandria.
Sister penelope lawson, of the anglican community of st. He is called the father of orthodoxy, the pillar of the church and champion of christs divinity. St athanasius on the incarnation free essay example. Throughout on the incarnation, athanasius explains that in order to reconcile the fallen creation back to humanity, salvation had to occur through a wholly divine mediator, perfectly embodied in christ. The incarnation is the outworking of the love of god towards man, and is for his salvation. Athanasius was restored to office on 1 february 366. Athanasius earliest work, against the heathen on the incarnation written before 319, bears traces of origenist alexandrian thought such as repeatedly quoting plato and using a definition from aristotles organon but in an orthodox way. This work was composed partly to explain athanasiuss thoughts on jesus christ and the nature of the holy spirit, and partly to refute the views of arius, a rival deacon within the egyptian church. As a staunch trinitarian, athanasius spent much of his life battling against the groundwork laid by his predecessor, arius, a nontrinitarian. The amazing thing is that athanasius was a very young person when he wrote this classic work. Today may 2 is the feast day of the father of orthodoxy, st.
Naturally, my thoughts have been focused on the incarnation and the resurrection of the dead for the last several weeks. Athanasius the great and tagged condescension, condescention of god, healing, incarnation, suffering on july, 20 by. On the incarnation of the word is a classic work of orthodox theology written by noted bishop of alexandria, st. Like for the lord touched all parts of creation, and freed and undeceived them all from every deceit. Athanasius which defended the trinitarian doctrine and specifically the incarnation human embodiment of. St athanasius explains why god chose to approach his fallen people in human form. Athanasius and the deification of the flesh henry karlson. He is widely known for his long battle with arianism and his staunch defense of the incarnation. Athanasius was born in alexandria, egypt, toward the close of the third century and came to maturity in an age when the church was severely threatened by political turmoil and religious controversy. But this work is an exception, for the intellect, honesty, and force of personality of st.
Athanasius became one of the most dedicated opponents of the heresy of arianism. A fourth century treatise written by the early church father st. Like for god is good or rather, of all goodness he is the fountainhead. St athanasius the great, on the incarnation of the word. Saint athanasius on the reasons for the incarnation part. Athanasius famous work on the incarnation 89, pg 25, 110111 portrays the drama of the word of god breaking into our world and assuming a human body in order to save us. In fact, its a good idea for all christians to read it at some point. A major attraction for retirees is our many daytime social and recreational programs. The popular patristics version linked above is the most readable the early church, w. Athanasius earliest work, against the heathen on the incarnation written before 319, bears. Athanasius of alexandria still blaze like a beacon after more than seventeen. Understanding on the incarnation chapter 1 st george.
In his writings against the heathen, orations against the arians, and the incarnation of the word of god, athanasius stresses the urgency of holding to the faith proclaimed by the apostolic teachings of. Basil together with his defense of the holy spirit, and st. Athanasius on the incarnation his treatise on the incarnation of the word of god, though written quite early in his life, and before the rise of arianism, is the best example of his theology, and is of special interest in modern times from its breadth of view and thoroughly philosophical standpoint. To fully understand and appreciate this book one has to understand why athanasius wrote itin defense of christs full divinity and against arianism, an emerging theology of the time that suggested christ was begotten from the father, therefore not eternal, and thus subordinate to the father.
Modernized, abridged and introduced by stephen tomkins. Athanasius, also known as athanasius the great and athanasius the confessor, was a bishop and doctor of the church. On the night of 8 february 356, while engaged in services in the church of st. Athanasius, in which we find the great truth of the mystery of the incarnation of the eternal word of god. It is well worthy of his alexandrian training and traditions. Athanasius the great, excepting the life of anthony, on the incarnation is the. Athanasius was the greatest champion of catholic belief on the subject of the incarnation that the church has ever known and in his lifetime earned the characteristic title of father of orthodoxy, by which he has been distinguished every since. Our thriving youth ministry and childrens faith formation programs offer many options, tons of fun, and lots of flexibility for young families. Saint athanasius the great the redemptive plan in on the. The most important church leader of the fourth century, saint athanasius was a strong and vocal opponent of the popular minister arius and his heretical. Indeed, st athanasius makes this clear when he says. I cannot overstate how important this work was for the development of christian theology. Athanasius parish, with about 1,300 families, offers a warm and welcoming smallparish atmosphere.
This entry was posted in sayings from saints, elders, and fathers, st. Lewis by any standard, this is a classic of christian theology. It is the same with the book on the incarnation by st. Athanasius had already written two apologetical works, against the gentiles and on the incarnation of the word. Athanasius resolves the paradox of the incarnate by relying heavily on both scripture and the teachings of the early church. While the chronology of his career still remains for the. By any standard, this is a classic of christian theology. On the incarnation of the word introduction and synopsis 14 pages skip to the start of the treatise the tract against the gentiles leaves the reader face to face with the necessity of restoration by the divine word as the remedy for corrupt human nature. It was originally published with a byline that reads only translated and edited by a religious of c. In the fourth century, during the time of constantine, the church was rocked by a controversy started by arius, a deacon of the influential church of alexandria in egypt. And whereas the old cults were strictly local and independent, the worship of christ is catholic and. Athanasius begins by setting forth the deity and preexistence of christ. On the incarnation by athanasius of alexandria goodreads. Athanasius was the greatest champion of catholic belief on the subject of the incarnation that the church has ever known and in his lifetime earned the characteristic title of father of orthodoxy, by which he has been distinguished ever since.
A summary of on the incarnation of the word of god by st. Although originally published in 1965, frends survey of early. And whereas the old cults were strictly local and independent, the worship of christ is catholic and uniform. While the chronology of his career still remains for the most. Athanasius defends the incarnation of christ against the. Paul, the church sings the mystery of the incarnation. As mentioned in the outset of this essay, because of the primal transgression, humanity had forfeited the grace which enabled a blessed life in communion with god. Athanasius defends the incarnation of christ against the derision of 4th century nonbelievers. Catechism of the catholic church he was conceived by.
Presupposes the doctrine of creation, and that by the word. He opposed arius when it seemed all the world would follow ariuss heresy. Athanasius the great archives orthodox church quotes. It appears in the roman office of readings for may 2, the liturgical memorial feast of saint athanasius, defender of the full divinity and. Jesus is the word of the father and it was through the word that all things were made. He was the chief defender of christian orthodoxy in the 4thcentury battle against arianism, the heresy that the son of god was a creature of like, but not. Complete summary of saint athanasius of alexandrias on the incarnation of the word of god.