Christianity – Page 2 – Faith Unto Ages

St. Athanasius’ Defense of Jesus’ Role as Messiah & the Conversion of the Gentiles

A form of argumentation that was used by St. Athanasius to defend Jesus’ Messiahship against the Jews was by appealing to the conversion of Gentiles; who began to forsake their idols and acknowledge the true God of Israel. This was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, which morally held Jews to accept the undeniable evidence that Jesus is the Christ; as the scriptures are held to be authoritative by both Jews and Christians alike.

In his words:

“… when they see even heathens deserting their idols, and placing their hope, through Christ, on the God of Israel, do they deny Christ, Who was born of the root of Jesse after the flesh and henceforth is King? For if the nations were worshipping some other god, and not confessing the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Moses, then, once more, they would be doing well in alleging that God had not come. But if the Gentiles are honoring the same God that gave the law to Moses and made the promise to Abraham, and Whose word the Jews dishonored, why are they ignorant, or rather why do they choose to ignore, that the Lord foretold by the Scriptures has shone forth upon the world, and appeared to it in bodily form?”

~ On the Incarnation, CHAPTER VI.

St. Athanasius’ defense of the Christ’s Divinity and Virgin Birth against the Jews

In St. Athanasius’ treatise ‘On the Incarnation’, he writes to a certain Macarius who was a proselyte to Christianity. Being inexperienced in apologetics, St. Athanasius had instructed him through this work to guide him on the Church’s teaching regarding the Omnipotence of the Word and His Incarnation. This was a doctrine which was challenged by both Jews and Gentiles alike; as it was a radical change from what was taught by history’s greatest philosophers, and exceeded human rationality.

For this particular post, we will be examining St. Athanasius’ rebuttal of the Jews, and how he proved the Incarnation from Holy Writ.

To initiate his rebuttal, he first addressed the Jew’s skepticism of Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection. He opens by appealing to the Old Testament scriptures; as they are shared by both Christians and the Jews alike since both religions revere them as being God inspired and therefore: authoritative, infallible, and inerrant.

To cite him directly:

“First, then, we will consider the Jews. Their unbelief has its refutation in the Scriptures which even themselves read; for from cover to cover the inspired Book clearly teaches these things both in its entirety and in its actual words”

~ (On the Incarnation, Chapter VI).

Following this, he claims that the Prophets foretold Christ’s Virgin Birth; and cites prophets such like Isaiah and Moses.

Citing the Prophet Isaiah, he said:

“Prophets foretold the marvel of the Virgin and of the Birth from her, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us’ (Isaiah 7:14)”

~ ibid.

The Importance of Studying Scripture

St. Paul tells us: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In light of the Apostle’s words, the study of scripture is evidently of great significance; considering if our goal is to grow in holiness and come to the knowledge of God, His love for us, and His Divine Will — i.e. our very salvation.

The Jewish scribe and prophet Jesus Ben Sirach tells us:

“How different is the man who devotes himself To the study of the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients And be occupied with their prophecies. He will preserve the discourse of notable men And penetrate the subtleties of parables. He will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs And be engaged in the riddles of parables. He will serve in the midst of great men And will appear before rulers. He will travel through the land of foreign nations And test the good and evil among men. He will give his heart to rising early Before the Lord who created him, And will make supplication to the Most High; And he will open his mouth in prayer And make supplication for his sins. If the great Lord wills, He will be filled with the Spirit of understanding. He will pour forth words of His wisdom, And in prayer he will give thanks to the Lord. He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, And he will reflect on His hidden things. He will reveal instruction in his teaching And boast in the law of the Lord’s covenant.” (Wisdom of Sirach 39:1-8).

There are also several church fathers that speak on the relevance of studying scripture.