Thanks, I am currently reading his book on Saint Antony and will put this on my list. I appreciate the length of these works, which encourage re-reading.
Thank you for the article Wyatt! The point about the epistemic value of the incarnation was gold.
I came across "On the Incarnation" when I was reading the Fathers alphabetically.
It was after reading a book by Ambrose on the same topic, so I found it boring. My fault completely. I think it is because the book by Athanasius was so formative to our theology that it reads like "old news".
You are welcome! And good question. In my view, one of the benefits of reading the fathers is that they inhabit a world with a different set of assumptions and social imagination. So you end up reading a book like On the Incarnation and see how similar it is to us; yet on reflection, you begin to see how his patterns of thought, of spirituality, and doctrine flow from different springs of reasoning than ours do. This, I think, is a key for how reading the fathers can help shake us out of our biases and more clearly see things that we might not otherwise see.
You convinced me! The book has been collecting dust on my shelf for years... The time has come!
It's going to change your life!
Thanks, I am currently reading his book on Saint Antony and will put this on my list. I appreciate the length of these works, which encourage re-reading.
Thank you for the article Wyatt! The point about the epistemic value of the incarnation was gold.
I came across "On the Incarnation" when I was reading the Fathers alphabetically.
It was after reading a book by Ambrose on the same topic, so I found it boring. My fault completely. I think it is because the book by Athanasius was so formative to our theology that it reads like "old news".
Any advice on how to approach the early fathers?
You are welcome! And good question. In my view, one of the benefits of reading the fathers is that they inhabit a world with a different set of assumptions and social imagination. So you end up reading a book like On the Incarnation and see how similar it is to us; yet on reflection, you begin to see how his patterns of thought, of spirituality, and doctrine flow from different springs of reasoning than ours do. This, I think, is a key for how reading the fathers can help shake us out of our biases and more clearly see things that we might not otherwise see.
That is such an excellent point. Look for *how* they reach their conclusion. I will read On The Incarnation next time I pick up the Fathers (soon!).
This also highlights the value of studying modern and ancient theology. They can talk to one another. You probably see that in your work.