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christinajcraig's review against another edition
I'm not used to reading early Christian theology but appreciated this experience. It was interesting hearing how St. Athanasius responded to unbelieving Greeks and Jews.
anhug2's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
utalan's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent read on why Christ took on flesh and what it accomplished. It's always fun reading these really old books.
dfculver's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A really in depth discussion of Christ and his impact on the world. Goes into detailed thoughts about why and how God has put an order to healing and salvation. It isn't just arbitrary, but makes a logical sense.
halliedu's review against another edition
5.0
I love that what sharpened believers in the 4th century is sharpening me now. Never thought about that reality until I read this, and it is an encouraging thought to sit with. Here are some quotes I liked!
“The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal
and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him, and to be manifested according as they could bear it, not vitiating the value of the Divine appearing by exceeding their capacity to receive it.”
“You know how it is when some great king enters a large city and dwells in one of its houses; because of his dwelling in that single house, the whole city is honored, and enemies and robbers cease to molest it. Even so is it with the King of all; He has come into our country and dwelt in one body amidst the many, and in consequence the designs of the enemy against mankind have been foiled and the corruption of death, which formerly held them in its power, has simply ceased to be. For the human race would have perished utterly had not the Lord and Savior of all, the Son of God, come among us to put an end to death.”
“The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal
and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him, and to be manifested according as they could bear it, not vitiating the value of the Divine appearing by exceeding their capacity to receive it.”
“You know how it is when some great king enters a large city and dwells in one of its houses; because of his dwelling in that single house, the whole city is honored, and enemies and robbers cease to molest it. Even so is it with the King of all; He has come into our country and dwelt in one body amidst the many, and in consequence the designs of the enemy against mankind have been foiled and the corruption of death, which formerly held them in its power, has simply ceased to be. For the human race would have perished utterly had not the Lord and Savior of all, the Son of God, come among us to put an end to death.”
rheren's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely read the version with C.S. Lewis' introduction, because it gives vital context to why reading this book (and books like it) is vital. It helped me appreciate the book far more than I would have otherwise. This is not a hard read, but is a very important work in the history of Christianity. Some of the points that Athanasius argues from really don't apply anymore, but the rest of the book is very insightful and important.