OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. A BRIEF HISTORY
III. ST. ATHANASIUS: THE MAN
IV. DE INCARNATIONE: ON THE INCARNATION
A. The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation
B. The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation ' Continued
V. CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
This paper will briefly look at the life and times of St. Athanasius of Alexandria. It will attempt to record some of the key events, from a historical perspective, of the early Church in relation to him. This paper is not meant to be an exhaustive work of his life but will center on those events surrounding his writing of St. Athanasius: On the Incarnation. Of this writing, this paper will concentrate on the chapters titled The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation and The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation ' continued.
A Brief History
St. Athanasius, born at the turn of the fourth century, was greeted by a world of change. Christianity was officially recognized as the state religion in Armenia, yet at the same time, Diocletian began the last of the great persecutions by “purging his army and courts of Christians.” This would be the rule of the day, although at a lesser degree, under many different Emperors until Emperor Constantine “accepts” Christianity in A.D 313. The chaos of the 3rd century is but a distant memory now as the Roman Empire flourishes under “external peace and internal unity” during his reign. It is under Constantine that the Empire’s system of taxation is simplified bringing prosperity to its great cities.
It was during this time Emperor Constantine convened in Nicaea the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325. This first ecumenical council held by the church, is best known for its formulation of the Nicene Creed, the earliest statement of Christian orthodoxy. The council attempted to settle the controversy raised by Arianism over the nature of the Trinity. Arius...