Since we are heading into Nativity Season, I believe that it is relevant to discuss St. Athanasius’ Apologia against the Gnostics who challenged the Orthodox dogma of Christ’s Incarnation. Below is an essay that I have written for one of my theology classes some time ago. To God be the Glory, Amen.

[Please do not copy without permission].

Introduction

To understand the arguments used by St. Athanasius on the subject of the Incarnation of the Eternal Logos, we must first have a crystal-clear understanding of who the Word is. The Word according to St. John the Apostle is God Himself: “In the beginning was The Word, The Word was with God, and The Word was God.” 1 He continues: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” 2 Throughout St. Athanasius’ treatise ‘On the Incarnation’ we will see him address a variety of subjects for his newly converted friend Macarius, who Athanasius calls a “true lover of Christ”. 3

After proving the foolishness of the Epicureans, Platonists, and Gnostics; he briefly touches upon points regarding God creating man in His image, man’s fall through disobedience to the single prohibition , man’s expulsion from the Paradise of Joy, and the creation of news sins which began to further corrupt man – all to which he believed to be relevant to the topic of the Incarnation.4 In this essay, I will present the tactics and arguments used by St. Athanasius to prove the necessity of the Incarnation by predominately referencing chapters 2 and 3.

Continue reading “St. Athanasius’ Apologia For the Incarnation, Pt. 1 – Against the Gnostics.”