Early Christian Theology_Athanasius of Alexandria

Athanasius of Alexandria(290-373)

 

Background

Bishop of Alexandria from 328 until the end of his life.

Fought valiantly to defend the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity

 

Significance.

Athanasius is the 1st great theological reformer, as origen is the 1st great theological synthesizer.

The Origenistic synthesis had borne better fruit in the Arian heresy, and Athanasius saw to the root of the problem, demolishing in effect  not only Arianism, but to a great extent Origenism as well.

 

Opponent : Arianism

·         An extreme form of subordinationism (middle and neo Platonism understanding of mediatorship)

·         Virtually making the Son (logos), a creature of the Father.

·         Slogan: "Once the son was not."

 

 

Athanasius' emphasis

a.     Radical unity of G -no second-class divinity

b.     Directness of G's relation to the world

1.     Creation - G has no need of mediators to accomplish his work. He can touch the earth without fear of contamination.

2.     Redemption: only G can save. By grace

c.     Some weakenesses in anthropology.

d.     Basic arguments against Arians (basic religious points, not abstruse or philosophical)

1.     They encourage worship of a creature (idolatry)

2.     They make salvation dependent on a creature rather than wholly upon G.