Summary: Athanasius on the Incarnation

This video segment explores the significance of Athanasius’s work on the doctrine of the incarnation, focusing on his historical context, theological contributions, and ongoing relevance. Athanasius is portrayed as a pivotal figure who stood firmly against prevailing heresies during the early Christian era, particularly the Aryan heresy, which denied the eternal divinity of Christ. The presenter emphasizes the importance of teaching Athanasius’s work to better understand the Christian doctrine of the incarnation and highlights key insights about the book and its modern reception.

Key Themes and Insights

• Athanasius Contra Mundum (“Against the World”)
  Athanasius earned his reputation primarily for his unyielding stance against the widespread acceptance of the Aryan heresy, which claimed that Christ was a created being rather than eternally coexistent and consubstantial with God the Father. Despite opposition, multiple exiles, and political challenges, Athanasius remained steadfast in defending orthodox Christian doctrine.

• The Aryan Heresy and Its Historical Context

  • The Aryan heresy was ascending during Athanasius’s lifetime.

  • It posited that Christ was created and not divine in the same way as God the Father.

  • Athanasius recognized and publicly opposed this heresy.

  • His defense was not only theological but also political, as Roman authorities favored Aryanism for its hierarchical implications in church-state relations.

• Athanasius’s Major Work: On the Incarnation

  • This book is a foundational and influential text in Christian theology, defending the full divinity and humanity of Christ.

  • Athanasius wrote it at a relatively young age, prior to his full participation in the Council of Nicaea.

  • The work remains highly readable and accessible, especially in editions featuring a preface by C.S. Lewis.

• C.S. Lewis’s Preface

  • The St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press edition includes a notable preface by Lewis, which encourages readers to engage directly with great theological works.

  • Lewis argues that great thinkers are often more intelligible than their modern interpreters.

  • He advocates firsthand reading for a deeper and more enjoyable understanding of classical texts, emphasizing clarity and literary quality.

• The Continuing Relevance of Athanasius’s Argument

  • Contrary to some assumptions, Aryanism is not just an ancient heresy but remains alive in modern religious movements such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  • Both groups deny the eternal coexistence of the Father and the Son, claiming Christ is a created being.

  • Understanding Athanasius’s work is crucial for contemporary Christian doctrine and apologetics.

• Historical and Political Dimensions

  • The Roman Empire’s rulers favored Aryanism as it supported the supremacy of the state over the church.

  • They aligned themselves with God the Father, asserting a natural hierarchy that positioned the church (associated with Christ) under the state.

  • Athanasius’s teaching that the Father and the Son are co-eternal and co-equal undermined this political theology, asserting the full divinity of Christ and thus church authority.

• Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

  • Athanasius was too young to fully participate but his work influenced the council’s outcomes.

  • The Nicene Creed formally rejected the Aryan heresy and affirmed the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father.

• Core Doctrine: The Incarnation

  • Christ is both fully God and fully man, a mystery unpacked by Athanasius.

  • This doctrine is foundational to Christian faith and worship.

Conclusion

The video stresses the enduring importance of Athanasius and his On the Incarnation for understanding the Christian faith. His opposition to the Aryan heresy was not merely historical but remains relevant given similar theological challenges today. The presentation encourages direct engagement with Athanasius’s text, noting its clarity and theological depth, especially with the guidance of C.S. Lewis’s preface. Understanding Athanasius’s work enriches comprehension of the incarnation, church history, and the complex interplay of theology and politics in early Christianity.