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The Importance of Athanasius and the Views of His Character

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The Importance of Athanasius and the Views of His Character The Importance of Athanasius and the Views of His Character J. Steven Davis Submitted to Dr. Jerry Sutton School of Divinity Liberty University September 19, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I: Research Proposal Abstract .............................................................................................................................11 Background ......................................................................................................................11 Limitations ........................................................................................................................18 Method of Research .........................................................................................................19 Thesis Statement ..............................................................................................................21 Outline ...............................................................................................................................21 Bibliography .....................................................................................................................27 Chapter II: Background of Athanasius An Influential Figure .......................................................................................................33 Early Life ..........................................................................................................................33 Arian Conflict ...................................................................................................................36 Beginnings of the Arian Conflict ...............................................................................36 Council of Nicaea ........................................................................................................38 Early Ministry ..................................................................................................................40 Aftermath of Nicaea ....................................................................................................40 2 Athanasius as Bishop ..................................................................................................41 Attacks by the Arians .................................................................................................43 Charges Against Athanasius ......................................................................................46 The Council of Tyre and Results ...............................................................................48 Exiles .................................................................................................................................51 First Exile and Return ................................................................................................51 The Roman Exile .........................................................................................................53 The Quiet Between Exiles ...........................................................................................57 Third Exile ...................................................................................................................62 An Abbreviated Stay in Alexandria ..........................................................................63 Fourth Exile and Return ............................................................................................65 Fifth Exile and Return ................................................................................................66 Last Years .........................................................................................................................67 Chapter III: Theological Contributions A Cogent Theological Mind………………….. ..............................................................70 Theological Influence…………………………. ..............................................................70 Influences on Athanasius………………….. ..............................................................70 3 Theological Method……………………….. ..............................................................73 Early Years………………………………… ..............................................................73 Later Important Works…………………… ..............................................................77 Theological Ideas……………………………… ..............................................................85 Incarnation………………………………… ..............................................................85 Good News…………………………………. ..............................................................89 The Trinity…………………………………. ..............................................................90 Homoousios………………………………… ..............................................................93 Holy Spirit…………………………………. ..............................................................94 Doctrine of God……………………………. ..............................................................96 Human Body……………………………….. ..............................................................98 Christ’s Power……………………………... ..............................................................98 Asceticism………………………………….. ..............................................................99 Role as Pastor……………………………… ............................................................100 Role of Scripture…………………………... ............................................................102 The Theological Impact of Athanasius……… ............................................................102 Chapter IV: Fourth Century Influences 4 A Variety of Influences ..................................................................................................104 Arius…………………………………………… ............................................................105 Arius’ Background………………………... ............................................................105 Theological Views of Arius………………... ............................................................110 The Writings of Arius……………………... ............................................................113 Death of Arius……………………………... ............................................................116 Constantine and His Sons…………………….. ............................................................117 Constantine………………………………… ............................................................117 Constantine and Church Policies………… ............................................................120 Personal Life……………………………….. ............................................................124 Constantinus……………………………….. ............................................................126 Constans……………………………………. ............................................................127 Constantius………………………………… ............................................................129 Other Influences………………………………. ............................................................132 Eusebius……………………………………. ............................................................132 The Meletians……………………………… ............................................................136 Complex Epoch……………………………….. ............................................................142 5 Chapter V: Allegations Against Athanasius Early Allegations……………………………… ............................................................143 The Start of Trouble………………………….. ............................................................143 Actions Against the Orthodox……………. ............................................................143 Ordination…………………………………. ............................................................149 Allegations at Tyre……………………………. ............................................................151 The Murder of Arsenius…………………... ............................................................151 The Broken Chalice……………………….. ............................................................156 The Broken Chalice at the Council of Tyre ............................................................161 Imposed Taxes……………………………... ............................................................165 Treason…………………………………….. ............................................................166 Illicit Affair………………………………… ............................................................166 General and Later Charges…………………...............................................................167 Violence…………………………………….. ............................................................167 Diverting Corn Shipments………………... ............................................................170 Verbal Abuses……………………………... ............................................................171 Evaluation……………………………………... ............................................................173 6 Chapter VI: Later Sources of Indictments New Information……………………………… ............................................................175 Philostorgius…………………………………... ............................................................175 Understanding Philostorgius……………... ............................................................175 Historical Problems with Philostorgius….. ............................................................180 Philostorgius’ History……………………... ............................................................184 Evaluation of Philostorgius……………….. ........................................................187 London Papyrus ……………………………….. ............................................................188 London Papyrus 1914 Comes to Light……. ............................................................188 Problems with Bell’s Summations………... ............................................................192
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