Classic Reads: On the Incarnation

One of my goals this year has been to read more classic works.  One I read earlier in the year was On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius.  I had wrongly thought that a book of its age would be intimating- of at least that it would be difficult reading.  I was surprised by how easily I was captured by the depth of theology presented in the book, and its continuing relevance.  On the Incarnation describes the necessity of Christ's incarnation as the only solution to humanity's sin, and the work done by His death and resurrection.  Athanasius gives a compelling apologetic while drawing the believer into worship through contemplating the implications of Christ's work.


Thus by what seems His utter poverty and weakness on the cross He overturns the pomp and parade of idols, and quietly and hiddenly wins over the mockers and unbelievers to recognize Him as God.  (Kindle location 156)

What, then, was God to do? What else could He possibly do, being God, but renew His Image in mankind, so that through it men might once more come to know Him? And how could this be done save by the coming of the very Image Himself, our Savior Jesus Christ? Men could not have done it, for they are only made after the Image; nor could angels have done it, for they are not the images of God. The Word of God came in His own Person, because it was He alone, the Image of the Father Who could recreate man made after the Image. (Kindle location 404)

In a word, then, those who disbelieve in the resurrection have no support in facts, if their gods and evil spirits do not drive away the supposedly dead Christ. Rather, it is He Who convicts them of being dead. We are agreed that a dead person can do nothing: yet the Savior works mightily every day, drawing men to religion, persuading them to virtue, teaching them about immortality, quickening their thirst for heavenly things, revealing the knowledge of the Father, inspiring strength in face of death, manifesting Himself to each, and displacing the irreligion of idols; while the gods and evil spirits of the unbelievers can do none of these things, but rather become dead at Christ's presence (Kindle location 711)

On the Incarnation can be read for free at Christian Classics Ethereal Library

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