235. Peter Barnes on Athanasius of Alexandria

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Peter Barnes to discuss his book Athanasius of Alexandria: His Life and Impact. Who was Athanasius of Alexandria (AD 289/299-373), and why does he matter? What was and is Arianism, and why does it matter for the faithfulness of the church? From an attendee at the Council of Nicaea with Bishop Alexander of Alexandria to becoming Bishop of Alexandria himself, listen in as Dr. Barnes helps us understand one of the most pivotal figures in all of Christian history. Born into a transitional world from persecution into power, we hear about Athanasius navigating the complexities of the Roman world – while facing the spread of an Arian heresy that denied the full deity of Christ, as well as those who sought peace at the expense of the truth of Scripture. Indeed, contrary to the common misconception that the Council of Nicaea settled the issue (via the use of political power) – Nicaea in its time was overturned in the space of two years, and there were many church councils ruling in favor of a more Arian position (or even agnosticism on the issue). Though it may seem to outsiders as merely a quibble over letters and words - “to view Christ as God is one thing, to view Him as the highest of the angels is quite another.” To Athanasius, confessing anything less than a substantive commitment to the full deity of the Son was not Biblical and not Christian, at all. Dr. Barnes writes, “Essential to Athanasius’s thought is the premise that only God can redeem what He has created. Therefore, the Word must be truly God, for a creature cannot join other creatures to God.” Indeed, if Christ is not fully God (and by God, mean God) – then we are still dead in our sins. The irony is that though his life has been so important, we actually have little we know with certainty about his life. Yet, Athanasius’ book On the Incarnation of the Word has been one of the most important texts in the history of Christian theology – and is part of a batch of texts that give us insight into Athanasius’ thought, as well as glimpses into his pastoral priorities and ministry. In addition to this, we also ask Dr. Barnes his thoughts about Athanasius oft-quoted line that “God became man so that man might become God”, and hear his thoughts about “deification” in the thought of Athanasius. In conclusion, we ask Dr. Barnes about the legacy of Athanasius of Alexandria and why people should care today.

Book: Athanasius of Alexandria: His Life and Impact

Other resources by Dr. Barnes:

- Living in a Halfway House: The Rise of Liberal Evangelicalism in the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales, 1865-1915

- The Gospel: Did Paul and Jesus Agree?

- Galatians (EP)

- Philippians (EP)

- Handful of Pebbles: Theological Liberalism and the Church

- Pain of a Particular Kind: The Loss of a Child

Other resources:

On the Incarnation of the Word by Athanasius

“‘The Brilliance of the Rainbow’: Athanasius of Alexandria, the Cappodocian Fathers, and the Defense of the Doctrine of the Trinity” by Michael Haykin (hear interview here)

The Spirit of Truth: Johannine Pneumatology in the Letters of Athanasius to Serapion by Haitham A. Issak

Early Arianism: A View of Salvation by Robert Gregg and Dennis Groh

“A Critical Examination of the Roman Catholic Definitions of Dulia and Latria” by Lauren Montenegro

Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology by Richard Gaffin, Jr.

Union with the Resurrected Christ by G. K. Beale

God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum

The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ by Brandon Crowe

The Incarnate Christ and His Critics: A Biblical Defense by Robert Bowman and J. Ed Komoszewski