On The Incarnation, by Athanasius of Alexandria
Book Review, #3
Athanasius of Alexandria, On The Incarnation (Crestwood, NY, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2002) 120 pages.
Of all the books written by the church fathers, St. Athanasius’ On The Incarnation may be the most accessible to a general audience. Moreover, C.S. Lewis wrote the short introduction, which is often titled “On the Reading of Old Books,” and that little essay is worth the price of the entire book. Lewis not only commends Athanasius’ work but also argues for the importance of reading deeply from other christian classics. According to Lewis, christians should read at least one old book for every three contemporary works. If we read deeply in christian history, Lewis argues, then we will more clearly recognize what is fundamental to christians across the ages. We will become more adept at seeing the forest for the trees, so to speak. That is, we will recognize the “faith once delivered” which is expressed in varying times and places and can be seen from our vantage point as “an immensely formidable unity” (7). This is what Lewis means by the term, “mere christianity.” Mere christianity is that consensus of faith shared by all orthodox Christians in all times and places, and we come to know it intuitively when we read scripture as well as the christian classics. Christian history is, after all, one long conversation about how to interpret and live out the biblical story.
On the Incarnation should be required reading for everyone interested in mere christianity. You may already know this, but Athanasius was perhaps the greatest theological influence on the Nicene Creed, which Anglicans and others typically recite just after the sermon in our service of Holy Eucharist. Less well known, Athanasius had an important influence on the shape of the New Testament canon. For nearly 350 years, the early church went through a process of discerning which texts were apostolic in origin and should be considered canonical. The list of 27 books that now make up the canon was first compiled and recommended by Bishop Athanasius in an easter letter written to the churches in his diocese in 367 AD. Athanasius was a North African and is often referred to as the father of orthodoxy.
On the Incarnation is especially notable for christians today because it offers a rich but concise theological introduction to the biblical story, beginning with creation and moving through the highlights of redemptive history. Athanasius begins with the creation of all things by the Word of God. Humanity, originally created good and in God's image, fell from this state due to sin, which resulted in corruption and eventual death. This fall constituted a “divine dilemma” in need of a solution. Athanasius insists that “the renewal of creation has been wrought by the Self-same Word Who made it in the beginning. There is thus no inconsistency between creation and salvation; for the One Father has employed the same Agent for both works, effecting salvation of the world through the same Word Who made it in the beginning” (26).
Through the incarnation, God defeated death by subjecting Himself to death. Christ's death and resurrection are therefore seen as a triumphant victory over death, bringing eternal life to those who follow Him. In Christ, humanity was lifted up from its fall, reconciled with God, and given the opportunity for eternal life. Athanasius also refutes arguments of ancient anti-christian critics for whom the incarnation was irrational or scandalous. He maintains that God's wisdom is far beyond human comprehension and that the incarnation is a supreme manifestation of God's love and mercy. On the Incarnation is a must read classic for all mature Christians.