On the Incarnation

A Study Guide

In 325 A.D., in the city of Nicaea (modern day Iznkik, Turkey), a large gathering of bishops, presbyters, deacons, and other interested parties gathered together for a meeting of unprecedented importance. They came to discuss the question, “Is Jesus truly God?”

Constantine the Great was now the sole ruler of the Roman Empire after years and years of turmoil amid the tetrarchs of Rome. The tetrarchy had been put into place by emperor Diocletian in 293 A.D. who believed the empire had grown beyond the ability of one man to adequately govern. Such being the case the empire had been divided into East and West and an Augustus (as head) and a Caesar (as second) was placed in each half to administrate their respective affairs. Whenever an August would die then the Caesar would move up and appoint a new Caesar underneath him (or, at least, that was the plan). For a time this worked fairly well, but by the second generation of the tetrarchy human ambition raged in the hearts of these men and they began to wage war upon one another vying for more power.¹

In one of the most dramatic stories in Christian history, in the midst of the wars between tetrarchs, something happened in the life of Constantine. On the eve before a greatly anticipated battle between himself and his rival, Maxentius, Constantine is reported to have had a vision in which he saw this symbol:

This symbol is formed by imposing two Greek letters (chi and rho) one on top of the other. They are the first two letters of the name of “Christ” in Greek. Along with seeing this symbol he reportedly heard a voice proclaim, “By this sign you will conquer!” Coming to from this vision Constantine ordered this symbol to be painted upon his chariots and the shields of soldiers.

The morning of the battle arrived. In preparation for the battle, Maxentius had constructed a bridge out of boats to cross the Tiber river which lay between the two opposing armies.² This battle is known as the Battle of Milvian Bridge. During the crossing, however, the bridge suffered a total collapse and a great many soldiers and war horses drowned, including Maxentius. Constantine, seeing that the victory over his enemy was handed to him while barely even having to draw the sword, proclaimed that Jesus Christ had given him the victory. As a result Constantine declared his own personal allegiance to Jesus Christ which eventually led to what is known as the “Edict of Milan,” signed by himself and the then co-emperor Licinius in 313 A.D., wherein Christians were granted equal religious freedom in the Empire alongside the pagan religions.

Constantine, then, became the first Christian emperor. Some years later, after having fought for years to gain sole authority, he was now quite eager to maintain peace throughout his empire. As such he worked hard to try to settle disputes that flared up for various reasons. Among the various kinds of disputes that arose were some which came from within the Christian church. Constantine wanted peace not only politically but also within the church because of his Christian convictions.³ Such being the case when a great dissension arose in Alexandria Egypt because of the teaching of a presbyter named Arius (who was teaching that the Word, Jesus, was not God but merely like God) Constantine was quick to try to bring things to a resolution. He ordered that a great number of bishops from all over the empire should come to hear the matter and rule what was the catholic (universal and historical) teaching of the church. That is to say, they came together to affirm what the Bible actually teaches on the matter and what the ministers of the church had already been teaching for the last 300 years.

The spokesperson of orthodoxy (i.e. right teaching) was bishop Alexander from Alexandria who valiantly propounded the Scriptural teaching that Jesus is in fact God in flesh, truly human and truly divine. Alexander brought with him his deacon, Athanasius. After some days of hearing both sides of the debate from the representatives of each position the council voted. Of the 318 bishops who had assembled at Nicaea 298 sided with Alexander that Jesus is truly God and man. Of the dissenters some advocated for a more moderate position but were willing to sign off on the final decisions of the council. Arius and his most ardent followers, however, refused to recant or repent of their error and were excommunicated. Arius, as a result, was divested of his role as a presbyter in the church and barred from taking the Eucharist (i.e. Lord’s Supper / Communion) within faithful churches.⁴

Nevertheless, Arius rebelliously continued to preach and his message gained a foothold in many churches for a time. In fact, the Arian heresy grew so widespread that it seemed for a while that it might conquer the truth. But, as God is wont to do, he raised up an underdog, a champion, against what had become a towering giant. Athanasius became the traveling preacher of truth who spoke all over the empire to the churches of Christ about the incarnate Word, patiently teaching and educating God’s people about the Scripture’s teaching. He also wrote voluminously on this and other topics of theological importance. In the midst of his labors for the truth, Athanasius found himself in great danger numerous times. Arianism had gained a hearing among many powerful people and civic leaders. On the run for his life and freedom Athanasius never gave up. As such he earned himself the moniker “Athansius contra mundum” (Athanasius against the world).

With just the sling and stone of God’s word and a firm belief in the faithfulness of his Lord, Athanasius (and other faithful orthodox ministers of God’s word) slew the giant and cut off the head of the heresy which had infiltrated the church. The truth won out and marched forward and has been affirmed time and time again in numerous other councils. It continues to be affirmed in the believing hearts of God fearing Christians everywhere. The vast body of the church throughout the last two thousand years, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant, have affirmed with one voice that “Jesus is God!”⁵ One really should pay attention when all three sectors of Christendom are able to confidently and unwaveringly agree with one another on something despite their differences!

Athansius’ On The Incarnation is a powerful sample of this dear brother’s work on behalf of truth. In this work he faithfully develops the doctrine of the incarnation, wherein the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), and explains why it was absolutely essential for the Divine Son of God to wed himself to a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation and renew the “image of God” in humanity. This book is a masterclass in Christian theology, logical argumentation, and powerful rhetoric. It is truly a most fitting read for those wishing to pursue a complete classical Christian education.

Below you will find links to each section of the study guide for Athanasius’ On The Incarnation as they become available. If you would like to pick up a copy of the book to join in the study you may do so by clicking HERE. The edition being used is part of the “Popular Patristics Series” and includes a preface by C.S. Lewis (which is an absolute must read). For a list of other Great Books study guides already available, in development, or planned for the future you can click HERE.

Lesson One: C. S. Lewis’ Preface

Lesson Two: Sections 1-10

Lesson Three: Sections 11-19

Lesson Four: Sections 20-32

Lesson Five: Sections 33-40

Lesson Six: Sections 41-45

Lesson Seven: Sections 46-57

A PDF version of this study with lots of extras is available to Paid Subscribers!

1. For more detailed coverage of these things you should read Eusebius’ Church History.

2. A similar bridge was constructed by Xerxes (as recorded by Herodotus’s Histories) when he crossed the Hellespont with his 5,000,000 man army in an attempt to conquer Greece.

3. Some doubt the genuineness of Constantine’s conversion to Christ and, without a doubt, he led a colorful life even after his official declaration, but there is a fair amount of evidence to suggest Constantine’s sincerity even if he lacked Christian maturity or discipleship. We will let the Lord decide, ultimately, whether or not Constantine belonged to him. Indisputably, however, Constantine did much to aid the Christian church’s prosperity after they hade endured many years of intense persecution.

4. The Nicene Creed is a reflection of the findings of the council of Nicaea.

5. Today only a minority of cult groups like the Jehovah’s Witness and Unitarians continue to spread this old worn out lie, denying the true divinity of Christ.