Athanasius’ biography, The Life of St. Antony, is not simply a tribute to Antony of Egypt or template for monastic living, it also demonstrates an understanding of soteriology that demands holiness of Christian living . Compare this manuscript to a tapestry, and this soteriological understanding can be likened to a strong, coloured thread woven throughout, giving tone to the image and binding the tapestry together. The reader can catch glimpses of this thread by first taking an overview of the tapestry; noting how Athanasius often depicts God’s blessings in Antony’s life as responses to his own efforts at holiness. Closer examination of the weave of Antony’s thoughts and teachings finds the thread often on the surface. Finally, the use
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As Antony enters adulthood he and his sister are left without parents and Antony again demonstrates idyllic Christian behaviour— following the instructions Christ gave to the rich young ruler (where the rich young ruler did not) (p.2). Having sold all his earthly possessions and giving to the poor, Antony begins a life-long pursuit of Christian virtue by isolating himself from the world and becoming an ascetic. The immediate consequence of this in the narrative, is an attack by the Devil to tempt Antony away from this personal pursuit of discipline and holiness. Antony’s pursuit of holiness and the devil’s counter attacks against “such a resolution” (p.5) continue to escalate, amplifying the message that the personal pursuit of holiness is a great concern to the Devil and thus, a high priority to the Christian. The triumphs of Antony over his foe assure the reader that God’s saving power serves to defeat the sin to which flesh is so susceptible …show more content…
In this position Antony was highly regarded and persons would come from far off to hear him speak, witness his faith and virtue and for healing (p.58). Athanasius reveals that Antony’s piety and theological wisdom was so widely respected that he was asked to appear in Alexandria to refute the Arians which he did with many miracles beside (p.69-71). Antony’s fame spread even to Emperor Constantine who inquired of him by letter, (p.81) again affirming God’s declaration that, because of Antony’s efforts to defeat temptation and sin in his own life, He would bless Antony with honour and renown
As Antony enters adulthood he and his sister are left without parents and Antony again demonstrates idyllic Christian behaviour— following the instructions Christ gave to the rich young ruler (where the rich young ruler did not) (p.2). Having sold all his earthly possessions and giving to the poor, Antony begins a life-long pursuit of Christian virtue by isolating himself from the world and becoming an ascetic. The immediate consequence of this in the narrative, is an attack by the Devil to tempt Antony away from this personal pursuit of discipline and holiness. Antony’s pursuit of holiness and the devil’s counter attacks against “such a resolution” (p.5) continue to escalate, amplifying the message that the personal pursuit of holiness is a great concern to the Devil and thus, a high priority to the Christian. The triumphs of Antony over his foe assure the reader that God’s saving power serves to defeat the sin to which flesh is so susceptible …show more content…
In this position Antony was highly regarded and persons would come from far off to hear him speak, witness his faith and virtue and for healing (p.58). Athanasius reveals that Antony’s piety and theological wisdom was so widely respected that he was asked to appear in Alexandria to refute the Arians which he did with many miracles beside (p.69-71). Antony’s fame spread even to Emperor Constantine who inquired of him by letter, (p.81) again affirming God’s declaration that, because of Antony’s efforts to defeat temptation and sin in his own life, He would bless Antony with honour and renown