On The Incarnation 7

Study Guide Questions for Sections 46-57

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Virtue vs. Vice, Peace, Light vs. Darkness

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to Athanasius, how did the Word show himself to be greater than the idols?

2. According to Athanasius, how did the Word show himself to be greater than the oracles?

3. According to Athanasius, how did the Word show himself to be greater than the philosophers?

4. According to Athanasius, how did the Word demonstrate that he was not a mere human, a magician, or a demon?

5. Which three Greek gods did Athanasius contrast with the true Word of God?

6. What “paradox” did Athanasius point to in regard to the success of the philosophers and their “persuasiveness and eloquence” versus the success of the Word? 

7. What effect did the coming of the Word have upon warlike people?

8. What challenge did Athanasius issue to anyone who might claim that “these and such works” performed by the Word “are human” rather than divine?

9. According to Athanasius, “if someone wishes to see God” where should they look?

10. According to Athanasisus, how is Christ as light is to darkness?

11. What did Athanasius say is necessary to “comprehend the words of the saints?”

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Athanasius said, “these things said by us are not merely words, but have the witness of their truth from experience itself.” What did he mean by calling experience a witness?

2. Why did Athanasius think the Christian commitment to virginity was a powerful proof of the truth of their religion?

3. Athanasius said, “For he was incarnate that we might be made god.” What did he mean by that?

4. Compare and contrast the way in which Athanasius refuted the Jews who deny the Word versus the Gentiles who deny the Word. What is different about his approach between the different groups and why do you think he took these different approaches?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Athanasius claimed that the Greek philosophers “were unable to persuade even a few from their neighborhood about immortality and the virtuous life.” Do you think this is a fair characterization of the success of the Greek philosophers? Why or why not?

2. Athanasius speaks of Christianity’s ability to tame warlike people who previously would not have “crossed land or sea without arming the hand with a sword because of their irreconcilable fighting among themselves.” What is unique about Christianity among the world’s religions that made such peace possible between former enemies? Why, for instance, did the religion of the Greeks, Egyptians, Noresmen, Sumerians, etc., not ever provide unity and peace like Christianity did? Do you think Christianity still has this power today or only in the past? Explain your answer carefully.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Acts 17 and note the ways in which Paul tries to persuade both Jews and Greeks (gentiles) that Jesus is the Christ. How many different audiences did he preach to? What kind of reception did each of these give to Paul’s message? How does Paul’s approach change depending upon the setting where, and audience with which, he is speaking? What lessons should we learn about varying our approach to sharing the gospel, depending upon our audience and setting, given Paul’s methodologies in this chapter?