In his work, On the Incarnation, Athanasius presents “a brief statement of the faith of Christ and of the manifestation of His Godhead to us” (Ch. 1). Distinguishing that many of the Savior’s achievements follow from his incarnation to the degree that one is unable to present them satisfactorily. Athanasius nonetheless determines to set forth his understanding of why the Word becomes Man and His divinity appears in our midst. The answer in short is for the salvation of us men (meaning for the salvation of us all). What follows is less a systematic doctrinal explanation of the incarnation and more of a defense of the incarnation against its 4th century misconceptions and critics.
Athanasius begins his interpretation with the creation of man …show more content…
In refuting the Jews’ critiques, he appeals to the Old Testament. Athanasius demonstrates how the Old Testament Scriptures anticipate a Savior that is only fulfilled in the God-man Jesus Christ. He also seeks to address Greek philosophical qualms by responding to the claim that the notion of God manifesting himself as a human is ridiculous and unfitting (using their own philosophical ideas against them). A philosophical idea such as if the Word is in the universe, than surely it is in the universe’s component parts; likewise, “if the Word of God is in the universe . . . and has entered into it in its every part, what is there surprising or unfitting in our saying that He has entered also into human nature?” (Ch. 7). Athanasius handled criticisms against the crucifixion, by asking why not another form of death? Athanasius argues that the death of Christ was public so that none might question the validity of his death and in turn question his resurrection. With regards to the resurrection, he argues from experience that the boldness of Christian martyrs facing death testifies to Christ’s victory over death. He also makes arguments based on experience. He argues for the superiority of Christ based on universal appeal to all peoples as opposed to the pagan gods’ struggling to coax loyalty from their
Athanasius begins his interpretation with the creation of man …show more content…
In refuting the Jews’ critiques, he appeals to the Old Testament. Athanasius demonstrates how the Old Testament Scriptures anticipate a Savior that is only fulfilled in the God-man Jesus Christ. He also seeks to address Greek philosophical qualms by responding to the claim that the notion of God manifesting himself as a human is ridiculous and unfitting (using their own philosophical ideas against them). A philosophical idea such as if the Word is in the universe, than surely it is in the universe’s component parts; likewise, “if the Word of God is in the universe . . . and has entered into it in its every part, what is there surprising or unfitting in our saying that He has entered also into human nature?” (Ch. 7). Athanasius handled criticisms against the crucifixion, by asking why not another form of death? Athanasius argues that the death of Christ was public so that none might question the validity of his death and in turn question his resurrection. With regards to the resurrection, he argues from experience that the boldness of Christian martyrs facing death testifies to Christ’s victory over death. He also makes arguments based on experience. He argues for the superiority of Christ based on universal appeal to all peoples as opposed to the pagan gods’ struggling to coax loyalty from their