Athanasius of Alexandria : bishop, theologian, ascetic, father / David M. Gwynn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gwynn, David M. (David Morton), 1975-

Contributor:

Yarnall Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Series:

Christian theology in context

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Athanasius, Saint, Patriarch of Alexandria, -373.

Athanasius.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xvi, 230 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2012.

Summary:

The Christian Theology in Context series aims to provide students and general readers, as well as academics, with a collection of well researched yet accessible books on the most important theologians and theological movements of the Christian church from the apostolic period to the present day. The volume are unique in setting theological thought in its full social, historical, and political context. Each attempts to show the close relationship between knowledge and social practice, rationality and culture location.

Athanasius of Alexandria (c.295-373) is one of the greatest and most controversial figures of early Christian history. His life spanned the period of fundamental change for the Roman Empire and the Christian Church that followed the conversion of Constantine the Great. A bishop and theologian, an ascetic and a pastoral father, Athanasius played a central role in shaping Christianity in these crucial formative years. As bishop and Alexandria (328-73) he fought to unite the divided Egyptian Church and inspired admiration and opposition alike from fellow bishops and the emperor Constantine and his successors. Athanasius attended the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea summoned by Constantine in 325, and as a theologian would be remembered as the defender of the original Nicene Creed against the 'Arian' heresy. He was also a champion of the ascetic movement that transformed Christianity, a patron of monks and virgins, and the author of numerous ascetic works including the famous Life of Antony. All these elements played their part in Athanasius' vocation as a pastoral father, responsible for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of his congregations.

This book offers the first study in English to draw together these diverse yet inseparable roles that defined Athanasius' life and the influence which he exerted on subsequent Christian tradition. The presentation is accessible to both specialists and non-specialists and is illuminated throughout by extensive quotation from Athanasius' many writings. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Life and Writings 1

2 Bishop 19

The Episcopate of Alexandria before Athanasius 20

The Early Years: From Election to Exile (328-35) 25

Between East and West: The First and Second Exiles (335-46) 30

The Glorious Return and the Golden Decade (346-56) 37

Flight to the Desert: The Third Exile (356-62) 43

The Final Years (362-73) 49

Death and Aftermath 53

3 Theologian 55

Arius, Alexander, and Nicaea: The Origins of the Fourth-Century Theological Controversies 56

The Early Theology of Athanasius: Contra Gentes-De Incarnatione and the Orationes contra Arianos 65

'Athanasian Arianism' 76

The Council of Nicaea and the Holy Spirit 85

Athanasius' Later Writings: Reconciliations and New Controversies 93

4 Ascetic 105

The Golden Age of Egyptian Asceticism 106

Athanasian Asceticism 111

The Bishop and the Monks: Athanasius and the 'Politics' of Asceticism 120

5 Father 131

In the Beginning: The First Festal Letter 132

The Pastoral Bishop 135

Pastoral Theology and Salvation 142

Pastoral Asceticism and the Christian Life 146

The Canon of Scripture: Festal Letter XXXIX 152

6 Death and Legacy 159

Athanasius in the Greek East 161

Athanasius in the Latin West 173

Athanasius in Syriac Tradition 184

Athanasius in Armenian Tradition 185

Athanasius in Coptic Tradition 187.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [199]-216) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780199210961

0199210969

9780199210954

0199210950

OCLC:

757147104