Great Books II Study Questions for Assignment 24
Athanasius, On the Incarnation
ASSIGNMENT:
a) Be sure to read the "Introduction" by C. S. Lewis on Page 3 (If you didn't get the edition listed on the Bookstore page, here is an online copy of the Lewis introduction.
b) Next, read this short article by Joseph Sobran).
c) Then read "The life of St. Athanasius". on pg 17. (There is another brief biography of Athanasius here. Optional reading but well worth it.)
d) Read On the Incarnation.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
- Lewis's "Introduction", pgs 3-10: What is Lewis's main point in the first four paragraphs? How is this point related to the next two paragraphs? Why do you think Lewis would want us to read Athanasius?
- "Translator's Preface", pg. 14, middle: What is the evidence suggesting the approximate date of the writing of the Epistle to Marcellus and On the Incarnation?
- "Life of St. Athanasius", pgs 17-24: What are the dates of Athanasius's life? What was his national and cultural background?
- To what great episode in church history does the phrase "Athanasius contra mundum" allude?
"On the Incarnation":
- What does "incarnation" mean?
- paragraph 2: What are the view of the Epicureans, Plato, and the Gnostics about creation, and how does Athanasius refute each of them?
- paragraph 4: Why does evil lead to non-existence?
- paragraph 6: What was the "Divine Dilemma"?
- paragraph 7: Why would repentance alone be insufficient to restore man?
- paragraphs 8-10: Why did Christ take on a human body?
- paragraphs 11-12: What four ways did God provide by which men might know Him and be holy?
- paragraph 14: How does the analogy of the portrait painting illuminate God's work in Christ's incarnation?
- paragraphs 16 What two things did the Savior do for us in becoming man? (chap. 3 is primarily about the first, chap. 4 about the second)
- paragraph 21: Why did Christ's death have to be public?
- paragraph 24: Why did his death have to be such a shameful one? (this is the answer to those outside the church)
- paragraph 25: What different answer to the Christian does Athanasius give to the same question?
- paragraphs 27-29: What is the first proof of Christ's resurrection Athanasius gives here?
- paragraphs 30-32: What proof of the resurrection does he give here?
- paragraphs 33-40: To what does Athanasius appeal to refute the Jews' objections against the Incarnation and Resurrection of Christ?
- paragraph 55: What are Athanasius's arguments against the Gentiles who object to the doctrine of the Incarnation of God?
- paragraph 57: What is the necessary condition that must be met before one can understand the truth in God's Word?
The Nicene Creed
The Athanasian Creed
(What IS a creed?)
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