Remember the Incarnation
Next to me is our family’s copy of On the Incarnation by Athanasius of Alexandria. If you’re not familiar with the work, I’m sure the name of the author alone is enough to tell you that it wasn’t written any time recently. The publishing date on my copy says 2022, but there were quite a few editions prior to this one, to put it lightly. Athanasius published this apologetic work shortly after the Council of Nicaea met in 325.
The author was a scholar, bishop, and apologist for the Christian faith. He is still considered one of the great church fathers, and On the Incarnation has stood the test of time, making its way into many homes and Christian school curriculums all over Christendom.
Because titles are meant to be helpful, you need not put on your detective hat to figure out what Athanasius was writing about. You don’t need to ask Grok, either. This short work was written to give a reasoned defense of the incarnation of Jesus to a new believer, equipping him to answer the objections of his day. Remember, “his day” was the fourth century, a period in history with which we certainly have nothing in common… right?
I just finished reading this book yesterday, and I was struck by the timelessness of the issue at hand. Today, just as then, people challenge the major tenants and notions of biblical Christianity. It turns out that God had enemies back then, just like today. It also turns out that we need a solid, biblically-based, ready-to-go defense of this gospel that we claim changes everything. The opponents of Christianity back then have a shared heritage with opponents of Christianity today: at the center of most of their frustration is this idea that Jesus of Nazareth was God enfleshed, and that his work was cosmically significant in a lasting way.
I’m writing this short post for two reasons. First, I want to commend Athanasius’ little book to you. It’s good. Like, really good. I encourage you to read it and to savor the sweetness of the center of our faith. God has come to us to accomplish a great redemption, and by trusting in him we have life in his name. How glorious!
Second, I want to pull a couple quotes from the book to encourage today’s Christian. Making much of Christ and his work was the focus then. Making much of Christ and his work is still the focus today. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that “we have it so much worse” than people did back then, and that our challenges dwarf theirs, leaving men like Athanasius with nothing to say to us in 2026. We need to be reminded of the true effect the incarnation had on the world and of the trajectory the work of Jesus set for creation.
Friends, the coming of Jesus really did change things on this planet for the better, and that change continues from the cross to Athanasius to us - all the way to glory. Consider some of what our brother Athanasius had to say.
“Since the Saviour came to dwell among us, not only does idolatry no longer increase, but it is getting less and gradually ceasing to be.”
“Again, who has ever so rid men of their natural passions that fornicators become chaste and murderers no longer wield the sword and those who formerly were craven cowards boldly play the man? In a word, what persuaded the barbarians and heathen folk in every place to drop their madness and give heed to peace, save the faith of Christ and the sign of the cross?”
“When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by his teaching.”
Sounds hopeful, doesn’t it? The good news is that what Athanasius is saying is not imaginary or far-fetched. Wherever the gospel goes, change really does follow. How far will it go?
Habakkuk 2:14
[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (ESV)
Christian, the person and work of Jesus are the substance of our message today. Don’t underestimate the gospel. Don’t replace it with anything else. Believe it. Recite it. Apply it. Teach it. Trust it. The gospel that God used to transform your heart and life, along with every converted person throughout history, is still potent enough for these times.
The author was a scholar, bishop, and apologist for the Christian faith. He is still considered one of the great church fathers, and On the Incarnation has stood the test of time, making its way into many homes and Christian school curriculums all over Christendom.
Because titles are meant to be helpful, you need not put on your detective hat to figure out what Athanasius was writing about. You don’t need to ask Grok, either. This short work was written to give a reasoned defense of the incarnation of Jesus to a new believer, equipping him to answer the objections of his day. Remember, “his day” was the fourth century, a period in history with which we certainly have nothing in common… right?
I just finished reading this book yesterday, and I was struck by the timelessness of the issue at hand. Today, just as then, people challenge the major tenants and notions of biblical Christianity. It turns out that God had enemies back then, just like today. It also turns out that we need a solid, biblically-based, ready-to-go defense of this gospel that we claim changes everything. The opponents of Christianity back then have a shared heritage with opponents of Christianity today: at the center of most of their frustration is this idea that Jesus of Nazareth was God enfleshed, and that his work was cosmically significant in a lasting way.
I’m writing this short post for two reasons. First, I want to commend Athanasius’ little book to you. It’s good. Like, really good. I encourage you to read it and to savor the sweetness of the center of our faith. God has come to us to accomplish a great redemption, and by trusting in him we have life in his name. How glorious!
Second, I want to pull a couple quotes from the book to encourage today’s Christian. Making much of Christ and his work was the focus then. Making much of Christ and his work is still the focus today. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that “we have it so much worse” than people did back then, and that our challenges dwarf theirs, leaving men like Athanasius with nothing to say to us in 2026. We need to be reminded of the true effect the incarnation had on the world and of the trajectory the work of Jesus set for creation.
Friends, the coming of Jesus really did change things on this planet for the better, and that change continues from the cross to Athanasius to us - all the way to glory. Consider some of what our brother Athanasius had to say.
“Since the Saviour came to dwell among us, not only does idolatry no longer increase, but it is getting less and gradually ceasing to be.”
“Again, who has ever so rid men of their natural passions that fornicators become chaste and murderers no longer wield the sword and those who formerly were craven cowards boldly play the man? In a word, what persuaded the barbarians and heathen folk in every place to drop their madness and give heed to peace, save the faith of Christ and the sign of the cross?”
“When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by his teaching.”
Sounds hopeful, doesn’t it? The good news is that what Athanasius is saying is not imaginary or far-fetched. Wherever the gospel goes, change really does follow. How far will it go?
Habakkuk 2:14
[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (ESV)
Christian, the person and work of Jesus are the substance of our message today. Don’t underestimate the gospel. Don’t replace it with anything else. Believe it. Recite it. Apply it. Teach it. Trust it. The gospel that God used to transform your heart and life, along with every converted person throughout history, is still potent enough for these times.
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