Athanasius of Alexandria
(296-298 – 2 May 373)

Advert: Discount voucher for Perlego applied at checkout

Synopsis

Athanasius will always be remembered for his role in the theological controversies of the fourth century sparked by the teachings of Arius. Although the details of this debate are beyond the scope of this present study their effect on the doctrine of the church and on its relationship with the emperors was far reaching. Athanasius was taken into the household of Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, who apparently recognised his potential from an early age.[1] His education appears to have concentrated on the scriptures and their exegesis rather than the Greek classics.[2] Athanasius was ordained as a deacon and assisted his protégé at the Council of Nicaea. Following Alexander’s death Athanasius succeeded him as bishop of Alexandria and continued his struggle against the Arians.

Rob Bradshaw, Webmaster

References

[1] Socrates, History 1.15; Sozomenus, History, 2.17 (NPNF, 2nd series, Vol. 2, 20, 269-270).

[2] Timothy D. Barnes, Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire. (Cambridge MA / London: Harvard University Press, 1993), 11.

Primary Sources

	Athanasius (Christian Classic Ethereal Library)
	St. Athanasius, "The Life of Antony," trans. Robert T. Meyer, Ancient Christian Writers, Vol. 10. New York: Newman Press, 1950. Hbk. ISBN: 0809102501.
	St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation: The Treatise De Incarnatione Verbi Dei. St Vladimirs Seminary Press, 1975. Pbk. ISBN: 0913836400.
	St. Athanasius on the Incarnation, Archibald Robertson, translator, 3rd edn. London: David Nutt, 1911. Hbk. pp.108. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	St. Athanasius, The Monastic Letters of St Athanasius the Great, Leslie Barnard (Translator). Fairacres Publications, 1994. Pbk. ISBN: 0728301385.
	R.C. Gregg, Athanasius: The Life of Antony and the Letter to Marcellinus. R.J. Payne, et al, eds. Classics of Western Spirituality. New York: Paulist, 1980. Pbk. ISBN: 0809122952.
	Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations, 21.
	Jerome, Lives of Illustrius Men, 87.

Secondary Sources

	Khaled Anatolios, "The Soteriological Significance of Christ’s Humanity in St Athanasius," St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 40.4 (1996): 265-286.
	Khaled Anatolios, Athanasius: The Structure of His Thought. London: London: Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Ltd., 1998. Hbk. ISBN: 0415186374. pp.272.
	Khaled Anatolios, "The Witness of Athanasius at the (Hoped-for) Nicene Council of 2025," Pro Ecclesia 25. 2 (Spr. 2016): 220-236.
	Duane W. H Arnold, The Early Episcopal Career of Athanasius of Alexandria. University of Notre Dame Press, 1991. Hbk. ISBN: 0268009252. pp.235.
	Duane W.H. Arnold, "Excursus on the Athanasian Use of Sources in De Decretis," Patristic and Byzantine Review 11.1-3 (1992): 33-51.
	Mark Baddeley, "An Exploration of Athanasius' Strategies for Reading Genesis 1-3," Phronema 30.1 (2015): 115-136.
	Mario Baghos, "Apology for Athanasius: The Traditional Portrait of the Saint According to Rufinus and the Byzantine Historians," Phronema 28.2 (2013): 55–88.
	L W Barnard, "Some Liturgical Elements in Athanasius' Festal Epistles," Studia Patristica 13 (1975): 337-42.
	L W Barnard, Studies in Athanasius' "Apologia Secunda". Peter Lang, 1992. Pbk. ISBN: 3261045736.
	Timothy D. Barnes, Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire. Cambridge MA / London: Harvard University Press, 2001. ISBN: 067400549X. pp.364.
	Abraham van de Beek, "The Relevance of Athanasius in Dogmatics," Church History and Religious Culture 90.2-3 (2010): 287-309.
	Robert W. Bertram, "Don't Confuse Athanasius - or God," Currents in Theology and Mission 14.3 (June 1987): 200-203.
	Margaret M. Beirne, "St Athanasius and the Scriptures, Exemplified in His Letter to Marcellinus," Phronema 28.2 (2013): 89-106.
	Wolfgang Bienert, "The Significance of Athanasius of Alexandria For Nicene Orthodoxy," Irish Theological Quarterly 48.3/4 (1981): 181-195.
	D. Brakke, "Canon Formation and Social Conflict in ivth-cent. Egypt, Athanasius of Alexandria's Thirty-ninth Festal Letter," Harvard Theological Review 87 (1994): 395-419.
	David Brakke, Athanasius and Asceticism. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998. Pbk. ISBN: 0801860555. pp.376.
	David Brakke, "A New Fragment of Athanasius’s Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter: Heresy, Apocrypha, and the Canon," Harvard Theological Review 103.1 (Jan. 2010): 47–66.
	B.R. Brennan, "Dating Athanasius' Vita Antonii," Vigiliae Christianae 30.1 (March 1976): 52-54.
	Jill S. Burnett, "Congregational Song and Doctrinal Formation: The Role of Hymnody in the Arian/Nicene Controversy," Liturgical Ministry 10.2 (2001): 83-92.
	Andrew Ewbank Burn [1864-1927], The Athanasian Creed. Oxford Church Text Books. London: Rivingtons, 1918. Hbk. pp.114. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	V. Burrus, "The Heretical Woman as Symbol in (bishop) Alexander, Athanasius, Epiphanius, and Jerome," Harvard Theological Review 84 (1991): 229-48.
	T.C. Campbell, "The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Theology of Athanasius," Scottish Journal of Theology 27 (1974): 408-40.
	Robert A. Case, "Will the real Athanasius please stand up," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 19.4 (Fall 1976): 283-295. pdf
	Robert Pierce Casey, "The Athens Text of Athanasius, Contra Gentes and De Incarnatione," Harvard Theological Review 23.1 (Jan. 1930): 51-89.
	F. Stuart Clarke, "Lost and Found: Athanasius' Doctrine of Predesitination," Scottish Journal of Theology 29 (1976): 435-
	St. Athanasius (Cornelius Clifford)
	Mary Douglas, "God and Humanity Brought Together: The Incarnation as Gospel," Evangelical Review of Theology 45.1 (Feb. 2021): 60-68.
	Denis Edwards, "Athanasius' Letters to Serapion: Resource for a Twenty-First Century Theology of God the Trinity," Phronema 29.2 (2014): 41-64.
	S. Elm, "Athanasius of Alexandria's Letter to the Virgins. Who was its intended audience?" Augustinianum 33 (1993): 171-83.
	Athanasius, St, Bishop of Alexandria (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
	James D. Ernest, "Athanasius of Alexandria: The Scope of Scripture in Polemical and Pastoral Context," Vigiliae Christianae 47.4 (1993): 341-362.
	James D. Ernest, The Bible in Ancient Christianity, the Bible in Athanasius of Alexandria. Bible in Ancient Christianity. Leiden: Brill, 2004. Hbk. ISBN: 0391041762. pp.486.
	G. Florovsky, "The Concept of Creation in Athanasius," Studia Patristica 6 (1962): 36-57.
	Adrian Fortescue [1874-1923], The Greek Fathers. London: The Catholic Truth Society, 1908. Hbk. pp.255. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Aza Goudriaan, "Athanasius in Reformed Protestantism: Some Aspects of Reception History (1527-1607)," Church History and Religious Culture 90. 2–3 (2010): 257-276.
	Rudolph Graber, Athanasius and the Church of Our Time. On the 1600th Anniversary of His Death. Van Duren Contract Publications, 1974. Pbk. ISBN: 0901072133. pp.80.
	R.A. Greer, "The Captain of Our Salvation. A Study in the Patristic Exegesis of Hebrews," Beiträge zur Geschichte der biblischen Exegese 15. Tübingen: J.C.B. Mohr, 1973. pp.371.
	Aloys Grillmeier, Christ in Christian Tradition: From the Apostolic Age to Chalcedon (451), Vol. 1. Atlanta: John Knox, 1975. Pbk. ISBN: 066422301X. pp.308-328.
	Frank Hudson Hallock,"The Canons of Athanasius," Anglican Theological Review 9.4 (April 1927): 378-386.
	Frank Hudson Hallock, "The Canons of Athanasius," Anglican Theological Review 9.4 (April 1927): 378-386.
	Andrew S. Hamilton, "Narrative in the Theology of St. Athanasius," Colloquium 10.1 (Oct. 1977): 6-13.
	M.B. Hanspicker, "Athanasius on Scripture and Tradition," Andover Newton Quarterly 3 (1972-1973): 13-29.
	R.P.C. Hanson, The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy 318-381. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988. ISBN: 0567094855. pp.954.
	Trevor A. Hart, "The Two Soteriological Traditions of Alexandria," The Evangelical Quarterly 61.3 (1989): 239-259. pdf [Clement and Athanasius]
	Michael A.G. Haykin, "'The Spirit of God': The Exegesis of 1 Cor. 2:10-12 by Origen and Athanasius," Scottish Journal of Theology 35 (1982): 513-28.
	Michael A.G. Haykin, "'A Sense of Awe in the Presence of the Ineffable': 1 Cor 2:11-12 in the Pneumatomachian Controversy of the Fourth Century," Scottish Journal of Theology 41 (1988): 341-57.
	Michael A.G. Haykin, The Spirit of God: Exegesis of 1 and 2 Corinthians in the Pneumatomachian Controversy of the Fourth Century. Vigiliae Christianae Supplements Series 27. Leiden: Brill, 1993. Hbk. ISBN: 9004099476. pp.350.
	J. Angus B. Holland," Athanasius Versus Arius: What Now?" Reformed Theological Review 28.1 (1969): 16-28.
	J. Angus B. Holland, "Athanasius and Arius II: Why the Impulse to Reduce?" Reformed Theological Review 30.2 (1971): 33-47.
	Charles Kannengeiser, "Athanasius of Alexandria and the Foundation of Traditional Christology," Theological Studies 34.1 (March 1973): 103-113.
	Charles Kannengeiser, "Athanasius of Alexandria and the Holy Spirit Between Nicea and Constantinople 1," Irish Theological Quarterly 48 (1981): 166-80.
	Charles Kannengeiser, "Athanasius of Alexandria: Three Orations Against the Arians: A Reappraisal," Studia Patristica, Vol. 18. (1982): 981-995.
	Charles Kannengeiser, "The Athanasian Decade 1974-84: A Bibliographic Report," Theological Studies 46.3 (Sept. 1985): 524-541.
	Charles Kannengeiser, Arius and Athanasius: Two Alexandrian Theologians. London: Variorum, 1991. Hbk. ISBN: 0860783146. pp. xiv + 330.
	Charles Kannengiesser, "The Dating of Athanasius’ Double Apology and Three Treatises against the Arians," Zeitschrift Für Antikes Christentum 10.1 (2007): 19–33.
	Philip Kariatlis, "Soteriological Insights in St Athanasius' On the Incarnation," Phronema 28.2 (2013): 21-34.
	Paul R. Kolbet, "Athanasius, the Psalms, and the Reformation of the Self," Harvard Theological Review 99.1 (Jan. 2006): 85-101.
	Alan L. Kolp, "Partakers of the Divine Nature: The Use of 2 Peter 1:4 by Athanasius." Studia Patristica 17 (1982): 1018-1023.
	Peter L'Huillier,"Ecclesiology in the Canons of the First Nicene Council," St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly 27.2 (1983): 119-131.
	William Ince [1825-1910], "The Life and Times of Athanasius," William Lefroy [1836-1909], ed., Church Leaders in Primitive Times. Lectures on Their Words and Works. Delivered in Norwich Cathedral by Eminent Anglican Devines, 2nd edn. London: Chas. J. Thynne, 1909. Hbk. pp.342-373. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Samuel Laeuchli, "The Case of Athanasius Against Arius," Concordia Theological Monthly 30.6 (June 1959): 403-420.
	Kirsopp Lake, "The Text of the De Incarnatione of Athanasius," Harvard Theological Review 19.3 (July 1926): 259-270.
	Kirsopp Lake & Robert Pierce Casey,"The Text of the De Virginitate of Athanasius," Harvard Theological Review 19.2 (April 1926): 173-190.
	J.T. Lienhard, "On 'Discernment of Spirits' in the Early Church (1 Cor 12:10 for Chrysostom, Origen, Athanasius; Cassian," Theological Studies 41 (1980): 505-29.
	Andrew Louth, "Reason and Revelation in St. Athanasius," Scottish Journal of Theology 23 (1970): 385-
	Jerry D. McCoy, "Philosophical Influences on the Doctrine of the Incarnation in Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria," Encounter 38.4 (Autumn 1977): 362-391.
	Louis Markos, "An Evening with Athanasius: Meditations on the Incarnation," Theology Today 62.2 (July 2005): 240-244.
	R.P. Martin, "(Ps 42: Athanasius 'most of scripture speaks to us, while the Psalms speak for us') Depression, a case-study," Expository Times 95 (1983): 23-25.
	F.P. Meijering, Orthodoxy and Platonism in Athanasius: Synthesis or Antithesis. Leiden: Brill, 1974. pp. iii + 201.
	E.P. Meijering, "Athanasius on the Father as the Origin of the Son," Nederlands Archief Voor Kerkgeschiedenis 55.1 (1975): 1–14.
	E.P. Meijering, "Athanasius on God as Creator and Recreator," Church History and Religious Culture 90.2-3 (2010): 175-197.
	Andrew Mellas, "The Eremitic Citizen as An-Chora-Ite in St Athanasius' Life of St Antony," Phronema 28.1 (2013): 53-72.
	John R. Meyer, "Athanasius' Use of Paul in his Doctrine of Salvation," Vigiliae Christianae 52.2 (1998): 146-171.
	Jonathan Morgan, "The Soul’s Forgetfulness of God in Athanasius' Doctrine of the Fall," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly 60.4 (2016): 473-488.
	Jonathan Morgan, "Soteriological Coherence in Athanasius’s Contra Gentes-De Incarnatione," The Evangelical Quarterly 88.2 (April 2016): 99-110.
	H. Nordberg, On the Bible Text of St. Athanasius. Philologica Fennica NS 3 1962.
	H. Nordberg, "On the Bible Text of St. Athanasius (LXX + NT)," Arctos 3 (1962): 119-41.
	Stephen M. Reynolds, "Calvin's View of the Athanasian and Nicene Creeds," Westminster Theological Journal 23.1 (1961): 33-37.
	Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, The Light of the World: a Basic Image in Early Christian Thought. New York: Harper, 1962. pp.128.
	A. Pettersen, "Christ's Death - A Liturgical Event for Athanasius of Alexandria?" Downside Review 102 (1984): 22-31.
	Alvyn Pettersen, "(Mt 26:39) Did Athanasius Deny Christ's Fear?" Scottish Journal of Theology 39 (1986): 327-40.
	Alvyn Pettersen, "The Courage of Christ in the Theology of Athanasius," Scottish Journal of Theology 40 (1987): 363-77.
	Dietrich Ritschl, "Athanasius, Source of New Questions," Journal of Ecumenical Studies 1.2 (Spr. 1964): 319-322.
	Grahame Rosolen, "The Incarnational Christology of Athanasius," Phronema 35.2 (2020): 85-95.
	C.R.B. Shapland, The Letters of Saint Athanasius Concerning the Holy Spirit. London, 1951.
	Kelley McCarthy Spoerl, "Athanasius and the Anti-Marcellan Controversy," Zeitschrift Für Antikes Christentum 10.1 (2007): 34-55.
	Christopher Stead, "St Athanasius on the Psalms," Vigiliae Christianae 39.1 (March 1985): 65-78.
	Christopher Stead, "Rhetorical Method in Athanasius," Vigiliae Christianae 30 (1976): 121-137.
	Christopher tead, "The Thalia of Arius and the Testimony of Athanasius," Journal of Theological Studies 29 (1978): 20-52.
	Christopher Stead, "The Scriptures and the Soul of Christ in Athanasius," Vigiliae Christianae 36 (1982): 233-50.
	Hikaru Tanaka, "Athanasius as Interpreter of the Psalms: His Letter to Marcellinus," Pro Ecclesia 21,4 (Fall 2012): 422-448.
	Thomas F Torrance, "The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity According to St Athanasius," Anglican Theological Review 71.4 (Fall 1989): 395-405.
	T.F. Torrance, "Athanasius: A Study in the Foundations of Classical Theology," in Theology in Reconciliation. London, 1975. Reprinted: Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1996. Pbk. ISBN: 1579100236.
	T.P. Torrance, "The Hermeneutics of St. Athanasius. Introduction, Theology, Background," Ekklesiastikos Pharos 52/1.2.3 (1970): 446-68, 89-106, 237-49.
	T. Vivian, "'Everything Made by God is Good.' A Letter Concerning Sexuality from Saint Athanasius to the Monk Amoun," Église et Théologie 24 (1993): 75-108.
	William C. Weinrich "God Did Not Create Death: Athanasius on the Atonement," Concordia Theological Quarterly 72.4 (Oct. 2008): 291-304.
	Jonathan Wells, "The Argument to Design in Athanasius and Maximus," Patristic and Byzantine Review 8.1 (1989): 45-54.
	Peter Widdicombe, "Athanasius and the Making of the Doctrine of the Trinity," Pro Ecclesia 6.4 (Fall 1997): 456-478.
	Arwin van Wilgenburg, "The Reception of Athanasius within Contemporary Roman Catholic Theology," Church History and Religious Culture 90.2–3 (2010): 311-337.
	J.C.M van Winden, "On the Date of Athanasius' Apologetical Treatises," Vigiliae Christianae 294 (Dec. 1975): 291-295.
	Frances M Young, From Nicaea to Chalcedon: A Guide to the Literature and Its Background. London: SCM Press, 1983. pp.65-83.

Biographies

	W. Bright, "St. Athanasius of Alexandria," W. Smith & H. Wace, editors, Dictionary of Christian Biography, Vol. 1. London: John Murray, 1877. pp.179-203.
	Robert Wheler Bush [1820-1908], St. Athanasius: His Life and Times. The Fathers for English Readers. London: SPCK, 1888. Hbk. pp.252. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Frederic William Farrar [1831-1903], Lives of the Fathers. Sketches of Church History in Biography, 2 Vols. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1907. Hbk. pp.781+737. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	F. A. Forbes, St. Athanasius. Tan Books & Publishers Inc., 1999. Pbk. ISBN: 0895556235. pp.98.
	Alvyn Pettersen, Athanasius. Morehouse Publishing, 1996. Pbk. ISBN: 0819216550. pp.224.
	Henry Robert Reynolds [1825-1896], Athanasius. His Life and Life-Work. The Church History Series V. London: The Religious Tract Society, 1889. Hbk. pp.192. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]