Athanasius of Alexandria: His Life and Impact (The Early Church Fathers)
Overview
Until his death in 373, Athanasius was the most formidable opponent of Arianism in the Roman Empire. Ultimately, for him, this fight was not a struggle for ecclesial power or even for the rightness of his theological position. It was a battle for the souls of men and women. Athanasius rightly knew that upon one’s view of Christ hung one’s eternal destiny. As he wrote to the bishops of Egypt in 356: “as therefore the struggle that is now set before us concerns all that we are, either to reject or to keep the faith, let us be zealous and resolve to guard what we have received, bearing in mind the confession that was written down at Nicaea.” And by God’s grace, his victory in that struggle has been of enormous blessing to the church ever since.
- Explores the life and influence of Athanasius of Alexandria
- Examines his soteriological focus
- Provides an accesible introduction
- ‘The Divine Power has raised you up to be as Contra Mundum’: Life in Alexandria during the Diocletian Persecution and the Rise of Constantine
- ‘His Word and His Wisdom must be Everlasting’: Development of Early Christology and the Way to Nicaea
- ‘We Believe in One God …’: The Council of Nicaea and its Immediate Aftermath
- ‘Begotten of the Father without Beginning and Eternally’: A Continued Post-Nicene Christological Conflict between Athanasius and the Empire
- ‘For His Mercy Endures Forever’: Athanasian Exiles, the Beginning of the Demise of Arianism, and the Final Years of Athanasius’s Life
- ‘For He Became Man …’: A Summary of Athanasius’s Theology and Introduction to On the Incarnation and Against the Gentiles
- ‘A Man in Christ’: Athanasius’s View of the Bible, Asceticism and Spirituality
- ‘Christ Loved Us in His Great Love and Ascended a Cross for our Sake’: The Influence and Estimation of Athanasius’s Life
Not only does he know the history and context, but Peter Barnes certainly knows the life of Athanasius. Writing in a lucid style, Barnes provides readers everything they need to know about this era of church history, and imparts a love for the man who defined it. Every page is soaked with historical and theological data, but more than that, every page drips with appreciation for Athanasius of Alexandria and why Orthodox Nicene faith is truly contra mundum
—Coleman M. Ford, Co-founder of the Center for Ancient Christian Studies
Peter Barnes has provided us with an excellent introduction to the life and ministry of one of the greatest champions of truth in the history of the church, Athanasius of Alexandria. Along the way we learn of the Christ whose honour Athanasius sought to uphold above all else. It is a well informed and accessible account which will enable many to become familiar with a Christian disciple who sought to honour the incarnate Word above all else. Worth reading.
—Mark D. Thompson, Principal, Moore College, New South Wales, Australia
Athanasius, whose name means ‘immortal,’ lives on in this comprehensive and commendable biography. Barnes shows how the animated controversialist managed a full life, as a Nicene theologian, Alexandrian bishop, and five-time refugee. The influence of the patriarch persists through these informed pages.
—Paul A. Hartog, Professor of Theology, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, Ankeny, Iowa
- Title: Athanasius of Alexandria: His Life and Impact
- Author: Peter Barnes
- Editors: Michael A. G. Haykin and Shawn J. Wilhite
- Series: The Early Church Fathers
- Publisher: Christian Focus
- Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 176
- Resource Type: Biography
- Topic: Church Fathers