In the fourth century, Saint Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, wrote the apologetic treatise On the Incarnation to explain and defend Christ’s incarnation. This paper will look at three specific questions that can be drawn from this document which are relevant to modern Christians. First, what was Athanasius’ purpose in writing this text? Second, what is the central thesis and the main points of Athanasius’ argument? And third, what insights does Athanasius’ text provide that are pertinent for future ministers in the church?
In chapter one, Athanasius explains that the reason he felt compelled to write this treatise is because the “Jews traduce… [and] the Greeks [or Gentiles] deride” the very notion of God becoming a man. The Gentiles and …show more content…
One reason for this is that the interval between his death and resurrection (i.e. the three days) proves that Jesus was genuinely dead. By showing “His once dead body immortal and incorruptible” to the disciples, Christ is able to offer them, and the rest of humanity, undeniable proof of the abolishment of death. With the fear of death now annihilated, Christian disciples (i.e. men, women, and children) are “prefer[ing] to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ,… [because they know] full well that when they die they do not perish, but live… and become incorruptible through the resurrection.” Another proof of the power of the resurrection is that many former unbelievers and deriders of Jesus have become believers, and some of those new disciples have become martyrs for their faith in Jesus. These types of witnesses make it hard to deny and doubt that Christ has risen and now lives. Jesus today, as he did two thousand years ago, can “prick the consciences of men [and women], so that they throw all of the traditions of their [fore]fathers to the winds and bow down before… [his] teaching.” The last piece of evidence that Athanasius provides to convince his readers of Christ’s identity and resurrection is that even the evil spirits and pagan gods have not been able to drive him away. Rather, it is the resurrected Jesus, now alive, who has the power to stop people from worshipping idols and to cause demons to flee at the very mention of his
In chapter one, Athanasius explains that the reason he felt compelled to write this treatise is because the “Jews traduce… [and] the Greeks [or Gentiles] deride” the very notion of God becoming a man. The Gentiles and …show more content…
One reason for this is that the interval between his death and resurrection (i.e. the three days) proves that Jesus was genuinely dead. By showing “His once dead body immortal and incorruptible” to the disciples, Christ is able to offer them, and the rest of humanity, undeniable proof of the abolishment of death. With the fear of death now annihilated, Christian disciples (i.e. men, women, and children) are “prefer[ing] to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ,… [because they know] full well that when they die they do not perish, but live… and become incorruptible through the resurrection.” Another proof of the power of the resurrection is that many former unbelievers and deriders of Jesus have become believers, and some of those new disciples have become martyrs for their faith in Jesus. These types of witnesses make it hard to deny and doubt that Christ has risen and now lives. Jesus today, as he did two thousand years ago, can “prick the consciences of men [and women], so that they throw all of the traditions of their [fore]fathers to the winds and bow down before… [his] teaching.” The last piece of evidence that Athanasius provides to convince his readers of Christ’s identity and resurrection is that even the evil spirits and pagan gods have not been able to drive him away. Rather, it is the resurrected Jesus, now alive, who has the power to stop people from worshipping idols and to cause demons to flee at the very mention of his