Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 4
Athanasius — Select Works and Letters
SECTION 41
Introduction. Statement of the purpose of the treatise.
Introduction. Statement of the purpose of the treatise. §§2-29. First Part. Refutation of Heathenism. §§2-5. a. The nature of evil. §2. (1) Not substantially, nor originally existent §§3, 4. (2) Its history §5. (3) Its essential nature, viz. a determination of will §6. False views of evil refuted. (1) Heathen: Evil …
2,568 wordsSECTION 42[109] 1 Cor. x. 23.
[109] 1 Cor. x. 23. §5. Evil, then consists essentially in the choice of what is lower in preference to what is higher. But the audacity of men, having regard not to what is expedient and becoming, but to what is possible for it, began to do the contrary; whence, moving their hands to the contrary, it made them commit murder, …
2,838 wordsSECTION 43[118] For the following chapters Döllinger, The Gentile and the Jew,', is a rich mine of illustration. The recently published Manual of the
[118] For the following chapters Döllinger, The Gentile and the Jew,', is a rich mine of illustration. The recently published Manual of the History of Religions,' by Prof. Chantepie de la Saussaye (Eng. Tra. pub. by Longmans), summarises the best results of recent research. [119] Wisd. xiv. 12. [120] Constantine was the last E…
2,304 wordsSECTION 44§14. Image worship condemned by Scripture.
§14. Image worship condemned by Scripture. But better testimony about all this is furnished by Holy Scripture, which tells us beforehand when it says [129] , "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Eyes have they and will not see; a mouth have they and will not speak; ears have they and will not hear; noses h…
2,482 wordsSECTION 45[132] phusis is here used in a double sense.
[132] phusis is here used in a double sense. [133] By Aristotle, Top. V. ii.-iv. where man is defined as zoon epistemes dektikon: compare Metaph. I. i. All men by nature desire to know.' §19. The inconsistency of image worship. Arguments in palliation. (1) The divine nature must be expressed in a visible sign. (2) The image a …
2,572 wordsSECTION 46[138] Hdt. ii. 69; cf. Juv. Sat. xv. 36, numina vicinorum Odit uterque locus.' This is one of the few places where Athanasius has any Egypti
[138] Hdt. ii. 69; cf. Juv. Sat. xv. 36, numina vicinorum Odit uterque locus.' This is one of the few places where Athanasius has any Egyptian local colour' (cf. supra 9 and 10). M. Fialon is certainly too imaginative (p. 86 contradicted p. 283), when he sees in the contra Gentes an appreciation of the higher religious principle…
2,543 wordsSECTION 47[144] Cf. Orat. i. 25, note 2.
[144] Cf. Orat. i. 25, note 2. §29. The balance of powers in Nature shews that it is not God, either collectively, or in parts. And in yet another way one may refute their godlessness by the light of truth. For if God is incorporeal and invisible and intangible by nature, how do they imagine God to be a body, and worship with …
2,620 wordsSECTION 48[150] Cf. Plato Phædr. 245 C-E., Legg. 896, A, B. The former passage is more likely to be referred to here as it is, like the text, an argum
[150] Cf. Plato Phædr. 245 C-E., Legg. 896, A, B. The former passage is more likely to be referred to here as it is, like the text, an argument for immortality. Athan. has also referred to Phædrus above, §5. (Against Gwatkin, Studies, p. 101.) [151] Cp. xxxi. 5, and ref. §34. The soul, then, if only it get rid of the stains of…
2,703 wordsSECTION 49§39. Impossibility of a plurality of Gods.
§39. Impossibility of a plurality of Gods. For we must not think there is more than one ruler and maker of Creation: but it belongs to correct and true religion to believe that its Artificer is one, while Creation herself clearly points to this. For the fact that there is one Universe only and not more is a conclusive proof tha…
2,248 wordsSECTION 50[171] Joh. i. 1.
[171] Joh. i. 1. §43. Three similes to illustrate the Word's relation to the Universe. And for so great a matter to be understood by an example, let what we are describing be compared to a great chorus. As then the chorus is composed of different people, children, women again, and old men, and those who are still young, and, w…
2,277 wordsSECTION 51Introduction to the Treatise
[179] Deut. vi. 4, 5, 13. [180] Ps. cxix. 90. [181] Ps. cxlvii. 7-9. [182] Ps. xxxiii. 6. [183] Ps. cxlviii. 5. [184] Gen. i. 20. [185] Gen. i. 6-11. [186] Prov. viii. 27. [187] Joh. v. 19; Col. i. 16. [188] metoche, cf. de Syn. 48, 51, 53. This was held by Arians, but in common with Paul Samos. and many of the Monarchi…
2,463 wordsSECTION 52Introduction. The Redemptive work of the Word based on His initial relation to the Creature.
A somewhat similar caution is necessary with regard to the analogy drawn out (41, &c.) between the Incarnation and the Union of the Word with the Universe. The treatise itself (17. 1, ektos kat' ousian, and see notes on 41) supplies the necessary corrective in this case. It may be pointed out here that the real difference betwee…
2,353 wordsSECTION 53[194] Or, "been made in one way only." In the next clause I formerly translated the difficult words hos epi somatos henos as in the case of
[194] Or, "been made in one way only." In the next clause I formerly translated the difficult words hos epi somatos henos as in the case of the universe;' but although the rendering has commended itself to others I now reluctantly admit that it puts too much into the Greek (in spite of §41. 5). [195] eis to einai. [196] Matt. …
2,233 wordsSECTION 54But just as this consequence must needs hold, so, too, on the other side the just claims [215] of God lie against it: that God should appear
But just as this consequence must needs hold, so, too, on the other side the just claims [215] of God lie against it: that God should appear true to the law He had laid down concerning death. For it were monstrous for God, the Father of truth, to appear a liar for our profit and preservation. 2. So here, once more, what possible…
2,205 wordsSECTION 55God, Who has the power over all things, when He was making the race of men through His own Word, seeing the weakness of their nature, that i
God, Who has the power over all things, when He was making the race of men through His own Word, seeing the weakness of their nature, that it was not sufficient of itself to know its Maker, nor to get any idea at all of God; because while He was uncreate, the creatures had been made of nought, and while He was incorporeal, men h…
2,214 wordsSECTION 56[238] Cf. Luc. xix. 10.
[238] Cf. Luc. xix. 10. [239] See John iii. 3, 5. §15. Thus the Word condescended to man's engrossment in corporeal things, by even taking a body. All man's superstitions He met halfway; whether men were inclined to worship Nature, Man, Demons, or the dead, He shewed Himself Lord of all these. For as a kind teacher who cares …
2,459 wordsSECTION 57§20. None, then, could bestow incorruption, but He Who had made, none restore the likeness of God, save His Own Image, none quicken, but the
§20. None, then, could bestow incorruption, but He Who had made, none restore the likeness of God, save His Own Image, none quicken, but the Life, none teach, but the Word. And He, to pay our debt of death, must also die for us, and rise again as our first-fruits from the grave. Mortal therefore His Body must be; corruptible, Hi…
2,296 wordsSECTION 58[263] Acts xxvi. 26.
[263] Acts xxvi. 26. [264] Luke xxiv. 11. §24. Further objections anticipated. He did not choose His manner of death; for He was to prove Conqueror of death in all or any of its forms: (simile of a good wrestler). The death chosen to disgrace Him proved the Trophy against death: moreover it preserved His body undivided. But w…
2,575 wordsSECTION 59[279] kata tou puros kata appears to have the predicative force so common in Aristotle. The Bened. translation the weakness of fire against
[279] kata tou puros kata appears to have the predicative force so common in Aristotle. The Bened. translation the weakness of fire against the asbestos' is based on a needless conjecture. §29. Here then are wonderful effects, and a sufficient cause, the Cross, to account for them, as sunrise accounts for daylight. Now if by t…
2,588 wordsSECTION 60[282] Matt. i. 23; Isa. vii. 14.
[282] Matt. i. 23; Isa. vii. 14. [283] Num. xxiv. 5-17. [284] Isa. viii. 4. [285] Isa. xix. 1. [286] Hos. xi. 1. §34. Prophecies of His passion and death in all its circumstances. Nor is even His death passed over in silence: on the contrary, it is referred to in the divine Scriptures, even exceeding clearly. For to the en…
2,767 wordsSECTION 61[300] Isa. lxv. 1, 2; cf. Rom. x. 20, sq.
[300] Isa. lxv. 1, 2; cf. Rom. x. 20, sq. [301] Isa. xxxv. 3, sqq. [302] John ix. 32, sq. §39. Do you look for another? But Daniel foretells the exact time. Objections to this removed. But perhaps, being unable, even they, to fight continually against plain facts, they will, without denying what is written, maintain that the…
2,446 wordsSECTION 62[313] See Acts xvii. 28.
[313] See Acts xvii. 28. [314] epibainon, see supra, note 3. [315] The superfluous pepoiekenai is ignored, being untranslateable as the text stands. For a less simple conjecture, see the Bened. note. §43. He came in human rather than in any nobler form, because (I) He came to save, not to impress ; (2) man alone of creatures …
2,208 wordsSECTION 63When did men begin to desert the worshipping of idols, save since God, the true Word of God, has come among men? Or when have the oracles am
When did men begin to desert the worshipping of idols, save since God, the true Word of God, has come among men? Or when have the oracles among the Greeks, and everywhere, ceased and become empty, save when the Saviour has manifested Himself upon earth? 2. Or when did those who are called gods and heroes in the poets begin to be…
2,502 wordsSECTION 64[342] e.g. Iamblichus, &c., cf. Introd. to c. Gent.
[342] e.g. Iamblichus, &c., cf. Introd. to c. Gent. §51. The new virtue of continence. Revolution of Society, purified and pacified by Christianity. Which of mankind, again, after his death, or else while living, taught concerning virginity, and that this virtue was not impossible among men? But Christ, our Saviour and King of…
2,298 wordsSECTION 65§56. Search then, the Scriptures, if you can, and so fill up this sketch. Learn to look for the Second Advent and Judgment.
§56. Search then, the Scriptures, if you can, and so fill up this sketch. Learn to look for the Second Advent and Judgment. Let this, then, Christ-loving man, be our offering to you, just for a rudimentary sketch and outline, in a short compass, of the faith of Christ and of His Divine appearing to usward. But you, taking occas…
741 wordsSECTION 66Introduction to the Deposition of Arius' and Encyclical Letter of Alexander.
Introduction to the Deposition of Arius' and Encyclical Letter of Alexander. The following documents form the fittest opening to the series of Anti-Arian writings of Athanasius. They are included in the Benedictine edition of his works, and in the Oxford Collection of Historical Tracts, of which the present translation is a rev…
2,258 wordsSECTION 676. Since then our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has instructed us by His own mouth, and also hath signified to us by the Apostle concerning
6. Since then our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has instructed us by His own mouth, and also hath signified to us by the Apostle concerning such men, we accordingly being personal witnesses of their impiety, have anathematized, as we said, all such, and declared them to be alien from the Catholic Faith and Church. And we have ma…
1,438 wordsSECTION 68Introduction.
Introduction. The letter which follows, addressed by Eusebius of Cæsarea to his flock, upon the conclusion of the great Synod, is appended by Athanasius to his defense of the Definition of Nicæa (de Decretis), written about a.d. 350. It is, however, inserted here in the present edition, partly in accordance with the chronologic…
2,257 wordsSECTION 69[415] "The children of the Church have received from their holy Fathers, that is, the holy Apostles, to guard the faith; and withal to deliv
[415] "The children of the Church have received from their holy Fathers, that is, the holy Apostles, to guard the faith; and withal to deliver and preach it to their own children....Cease not, faithful and orthodox men, thus to speak, and to teach the like from the divine Scriptures, and to walk, and to catechise, to the confirm…
2,258 wordsSECTION 70Bishop Bull, as I understood him (Defens. F. N. ii. 9. §11.), considers that two distinct ideas are intended by the words ousia and hupostas
Bishop Bull, as I understood him (Defens. F. N. ii. 9. §11.), considers that two distinct ideas are intended by the words ousia and hupostasis, in the clause ex heteras hupostaseos e ousias; as if the Creed condemned those who said that the Son was not from the Father's essence, and those also who said that He was not from the F…
2,210 wordsSECTION 71Leaving Athanasius, we have the following evidence concerning the history of the word hupostasis. S. Jerome says, "The whole school of secul
Leaving Athanasius, we have the following evidence concerning the history of the word hupostasis. S. Jerome says, "The whole school of secular learning understanding nothing else by hypostasis than usia, essence," Ep. xv. 4, where, speaking of the Three Hypostases he uses the strong language, "If you desire it, then be a new fai…
1,538 wordsSECTION 72Introduction to Expositio Fidei.
Introduction to Expositio Fidei. ------------------------ The date of this highly interesting document is quite uncertain, but there is every ground for placing it earlier than the explicitly anti-Arian treatises. Firstly, the absence of any express reference to the controversy against Arians, while yet it is clearly in view i…
2,246 wordsSECTION 73Introduction to In Illud Omnia,' Etc.
[434] monoousion kai ouch homoousion (see Prolegg. ch. ii. §3 (2) b sub fin.). The distinction cannot (to those accustomed to use the Nicene' Creed in English) be rendered so as to imply a real difference. The real distinction lies, not in the prefixes mono- and homo-, but in the sense to be attached to the ambiguous term ousia …
2,295 wordsSECTION 74§4. The text John xvi. 15, shews clearly the essential relation of the Son to the Father.
§4. The text John xvi. 15, shews clearly the essential relation of the Son to the Father. As then the light from the Sun which illumines the world could never be supposed, by men of sound mind, to do so without the Sun, since the Sun's light is united to the Sun by nature; and as, if the Light [442] were to say: I have received…
1,450 wordsSECTION 75Introduction to the Encyclical Epistle to the Bishops Throughout the World.
Introduction to the Encyclical Epistle to the Bishops Throughout the World. ------------------------ Athanasius wrote the following Epistle in the year 339. In the winter at the beginning of that year the Eusebians held a Council at Antioch. Here they appointed Gregory to the see of Alexandria in the place of Athanasius (see P…
2,263 wordsSECTION 76What followed upon this [455] it is by no means easy to describe: indeed it is not possible to set before you a just representation of the c
What followed upon this [455] it is by no means easy to describe: indeed it is not possible to set before you a just representation of the circumstances, nor even could one recount a small part of them without tears and lamentations. Have such deeds as these ever been made the subjects of tragedy among the ancients? or has the l…
2,291 wordsSECTION 77Introduction to Apologia Contra Arianos.
[468] Apol. c. Ar. §§19, 24. [469] Apol. c. Ar. 3. [470] 1 Cor. xii. 26; Rom. xii. 15. §7. Appeal to the bishops of the whole Church to unite against Gregory. You are acquainted with the history of the Arian madmen, beloved, for you have often, both individually and in a body, condemned their impiety; and you know also that …
1,906 wordsSECTION 78b. DOCUMENTS IN THE SECOND PART.
b. DOCUMENTS IN THE SECOND PART. i. Letters of Constantine Previous to the Council of Tyre (§§59-63). 16. §59 (a.d. 331). A fragment, urging Athanasius with threats to admit to communion all (Arians) who wish it. 17. §61 (same year). Letter to the people of Alexandria, remonstrating with them for their dissensions and stigmat…
714 wordsSECTION 79Introduction.
Introduction. 1. I supposed that, after so many proofs of my innocence had been given, my enemies would have shrunk from further enquiry, and would now have condemned themselves for their false accusations of others. But as they are not yet abashed, though they have been so clearly convicted, but, as insensible to shame, persis…
2,435 wordsSECTION 806. When Arius, from whom the heresy of the Arian madmen has its name, was cast out of the Church for his impiety by Bishop Alexander, of ble
6. When Arius, from whom the heresy of the Arian madmen has its name, was cast out of the Church for his impiety by Bishop Alexander, of blessed memory, Eusebius and his fellows, who are the disciples and partners of his impiety, considering themselves also to have been ejected, wrote frequently to Bishop Alexander, beseeching h…
2,225 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.