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