In the study of the ancient Church Fathers, you cannot avoid studying Athanasius. He was the first Church Father to really understand and articulate a theology of the Trinity and its mutual love towards Creation. As well, the development of his Trinitarian theology came at a crucial time in Christian thought. Athanasius was influential in refuting the Arian controversy which had Christ as a lesser being than the Father. Understanding the theology of Athanasius is essential to understanding who he was as a person.
Athanasius was Greek; He was born in Alexandria to Christian parents. His theology is linked to Irenaeus and Bartholomew; we can see this in his use of Logos as Christ. Athanasius was the Athanasius dealt with the Arian Controversy, where he was able to develop his theology of the Trinity. His theology was developed with Athanasius' fourty-five years as bishop of Alexandria from 328 to 373. Unfortunately, some modern scholars have criticized Athanasius for his lack of discussion on Christ’s human soul, whether he had one and if he did, what that meant in regards to Soteriology. The divinity of Christ was more important to Athanasius than the humanity. As well, how Arius viewed the Bible as privatized teaching as opposed to public teaching that was to be used with all teaching. “Athanasius regarded as divinely inspired. Most importantly, the Bible contained the words of Christ. Accordingly, the Bible is sufficient for the exposition of the truth, about both the things of philosophy and the things of God and so it demands our obedience.” In Athanasius' writings there is the influence of Platonism in his thought, though Athanasius himself does not hold to be a Platonist. We can see his Platonist influenced education w...
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...Real Athanasius Please Stand Up." Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society 19, no. 4 (September 1, 1976): 283-295. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2013).
Meijering, E P. "Athanasius on God as Creator and Recreator." Church History And Religious Culture 90, no. 2-3 (January 1, 2010): 175-197. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2013).
Weinrich, William C. "God Did Not Create Death: Athanasius on the atonement." Concordia Theological Quarterly 72, no. 4 (October 1, 2008): 291-304. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2013).
Widdicombe, Peter. "Athanasius and the Making of the Doctrine of the Trinity." Pro Ecclesia 6, no. 4 (September 1, 1997): 456-478. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2013).
John Calvin and Karl Barth: I feel that these two theologians cannot be separated since they both have greatly impacted my Christian faith. While attending Northwestern College, I took multiple Calvin
One of the main principles of Christianity is the belief in both the divinity and humanity of Jesus, that these two natures are combined harmoniously in one being. In general, all modern Christians believe that Jesus was human, he was considered to be “The Word was made flesh” (John, I: 14). However, Jesus was more than just a human, despite being subjected to pain, suffering and death like all other human beings, he was sinless and also possessed the power to heal and to defy death in order to ascend, both body and spirit, into heaven. He was all man and all God, a combination of these two elements, remaining distinct but united in one being. The deity of Jesus is a non-negotiable belief in Christianity, which is referred to in many parts of scripture, “God was revealed in the flesh” (I Timothy, 3:16). The Christian faith does not perceive Jesus as God but rather a reincarnation of God, a mysterious deity who is the second person of the Holy Trinity. Throughout history, controversy has surrounded the issue of the humanity and divinity of Jesus, leading to the formation of Docetism, the belief that Jesus was fully divine but not fully human, Arianism, that Jesus was superior to all of creation, but less divine than God, and Nestorius, that there were two separate persons within Jesus. This the proportion of the divine and human within Je...
With each religion comes things to learn and understand. Some things are easy to grasp onto, while others can be impossible to comprehend. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be human? How did Jesus overcome the most powerful of human leaders? Why did God send His only son for us? In the book On the Incarnation by Athanasius, these questions are thoroughly explained. Beginning with the creation of man, God promised to protect and care for us. This promise He fulfills through Jesus His son.
The historical cultural situation of the writer and his audience is that in this time Paul is preaching to Ephesus, and that the audience are mostly gentiles. Pauls original name was Saul, and he was an apostle who spoke the Gospel of God, to the 1st century audience/world. The author is much undeinfed, but most have found that it can be paul, and little say it was a follower of paul. His background was personally chosen by God. Gods best messeng...
Athanasius devotes much of his writings and his life to discount and discredit the heretical writing of the Arians. Leithart puts it best when he says that Athanasius’ hermeneutics is “situated, always in the church…[and] is always embattled,” being that Athanasius always tried to stay true to scripture. Athanasius thought that he himself was combatting the devil in his writings, being that his work was part of larger battle of spiritual warfare raging within the church. One of Athanasius’ most common hermeneutical strategies that Leithart describes is using allegory to describe himself and his opponents in Biblical Terms. This “political theology” was commonly used throughout this time, but Athanasius, a well-read and well-learned scholar, commonly described himself in regard to biblical characters, and his opponents as biblical devils. Constantius, an avid supporter
In all human history, there are rare occasions of great individuals who not only have profound effect on future generations, but who also stand the test of time and scrutiny for millennia. These people are often thought to be great leaders of society or business but when we go back even farther in time, the great thinkers and societal leaders and influencers were more often also some of the great religious influences of their day. Religious influences like Origen of Alexandria and Tertullian, even the great philosophers like Socrates and Plato have all left a make on society and Christianity. This essay briefly introduces Athanasius of Alexander and Eusebius of Caesarea, two major influences of the Christian belief that were significant in shaping some of the fundamental principles of Christian faith and principles.
A biography on Saint Augustine is not our primary concern on this writing but, since he was the most important Christian theoretician in the late Roman Empire in the elaboration as stated Marvin Perry in his book, Western Civilization: “A Brief History” (117). It is relevant to stress out that his explanation of the origin of the unity of the human race has evoked the most pertinent questions. Augustine of Hippo or Saint Augustine was born on November 13th, 354 in Tagaste, Algeria then died on August 28th, 430 in Hippo Regius. Saint Augustine, bishop of Hippo in North Africa and author of The City of God, was an early Christian theologian and philosopher who developed the view of life and of the individual about the Christianity.
In order to answer these questions, this paper will include an analysis of Plato’s theories as well as their influences on early Christianity. It will demonstrate to the reader that Plato’s theories are, in fact, still in use in Christian Theology and conclude with an evaluation of this assessment.
...tween God and Jesus. Arius was a leader of a congregation that believed, “Christians worshiped Jesus, but at the same time came from monotheistic Jewish tradition, in which God alone is worshiped (Fisher, 2008, p. 320). In other words, Arius believed Jesus did not have the same status as God because he was a human. Others believed that “Jesus is properly worshiped as the incarnation of God” (Fisher, 2008, p. 320). In order to resolve this issue, Constantine formed a general council, called the Nicene Council. They debated the issue for decades and they finally dismissed Arius’s beliefs and created the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed states that the Father came down from heaven as the Holy Spirit and he was made man through the Virgin Mary. This creed is a “profession of faith for many Christians dominations” (Fisher, 2008, p. 320) and has helped unify all Christians.
As Christians we read, we talk, and learn about the attributes and the nature of God during our Christian life. I am talking about the uniqueness and his personality that we all take part of everyday of our lives or in relationship with him. Throughout history God has left hidden jewels in the Bible of who he truly is. On the other hand, the bibles list few attributes of who he is, but as always its incomplete and we have to seek him for his very attributes in nature.
Born to the Bishop of Nazianzus in Cappadocia, religion was a central part of Gregory's life. He was educated in Christian writings, especially Origen (Catholic Online). Origen lived during the Christian persecutions between 185 and 254 AD. He is considered one of the greatest Christian Theologians of all time, most likely in regards to his many biblical commentaries and sermons. Some of his better known works were On First Principle, which discussed Christian Neo-Platonism, and Against Celcus, which was a written response to the Pagan philosopher Celcus' attack on Christianity (IEoP). Together with his friend Basil, Gregory composed the Philocalia, meaning "Love of Beauty" which was an anthology of Origen's works. Gregory was also extremely well versed in Greek philosophy (Catholic Online).
Cyril of Alexandria is considered as one of the greatest saints to have ever lived due to his campaign against Nestorius. He thought it was his duty to support Christianity and diminish the national threats to the bible on its truth. He even attacked Jews in order to show people what was right versus what was wrong. He thought God was calling him to do great works for the kingdom of God, and he was correct. Cyril is considered as one of the “TOP DOGS” out of all of the saints which will be proven later.
Looking different doesn’t mean you are different. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the master and his creation appear similar than one might think. Victor Frankenstein is a smart young man waiting to see what the world has to offer. When he was a little boy he would read books written by alchemists. Later on he decides to sets out on a mission to learn what he can about the world. Victor is like most boys, but he has plans that no one would ever think of. With science he has plans to create life. His fascination of acquiring knowledge has lead him up to this point. Victor’s creation shares remarkable similarities with Victor. Frankenstein illustrates that the monster and Victor are different in appearance, but are similar in terms of personality.
Augustine of Hippo - One philosopher that I found interesting was Augustine and his involvement in the early church. "Augustine is acknowledged as having been one of the most important influences on the development of the western Christianity. The theological system he developed dominated the mediaeval church until the thirteenth century and its influence is still felt today (Bradshaw, 2009)."
Augustine and so many more. To briefly expound upon a few of the previously listed names, it is desired that this would give a little more insight in connection to the history, beliefs and differences within the divisions. Jesus was one of the most influential people, most divisions would concur that He is the Son of God, while also being fully God and fully human. Additionally believing that Jesus was sent to the earth to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament. Another significant man is Pope John Paul II. One thing that he is most well known, besides being one of the longest reigning popes, is for the way he reestablished stability for many Catholics following the Vatican II. Lastly, we will look at the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary is seen in all divisions as the mother of Jesus, the wife of Joseph. However, the significance of this birth and conception is one divine in nature, being that Mary had not had sexual relations in the conception of this child but it would be a child of the Holy Spirit. While Mary is a very significant person, to the Baptist division she is viewed strictly as the mother of Jesus; called to be the mother of Jesus by a virgin birth and significant in the story. However to the Catholic and Orthodox, we see a lot higher regard concerning