Athanasius, AD 296–373

Important Facts

(a) the pastor’s life and ministry settings

When looking into his beginning, it is likely that while Athanasius did receive a good classical education at a catechetical school in Alexandria.

Catechetical school, in early Christianity, a type of educational institution with a curriculum directed towards gaining a greater knowledge of Christianity

According to Litfin, this education was made possible after he became noticed in his youth by Bishop Alexander after he was caught performing a perfect baptismal liturgy while playing church with his peers. It was then under the bishop’s guidance that Athanasius would grow into a fiery, yet notably stubborn deacon for the the bishop.

It was during this time that Athanasius produced his most famous work on how the Logos became human and redeemed humanity, De Incarnatione (On the Incarnation)

While he is famously known for his defense of the deity of Jesus in his later years, especially through his contributions to the Nicene faith, he’s likely always had a keen interest in the doctrine of the incarnation.

On the Incarnation is dated sometime before AD 318, considerably prior to the eruption of Arianism, though there are some scholars who argue for a later date some 15-20 years after.

(b) significant historical events surrounding his ministry that may have impacted his life as a pastor

Arianism.

When Arius came on to the scene, it was sometime in AD 318 where he began to declare, ““If the Father begat the Son, then he who was begotten had a beginning in existence, and from this it follows there was a time when the Son was not.”

While there is not much information on the personal life of Arius and the extent of his personal impact on the spread of Arianism, it is well understood that his controversial teachings were becoming widely embraced throughout the Church.

However, because Arius’ controversial teaching attacked the doctrine of the Trinity, it was resisted by some, with Bishop Alexander and Athanasius being among those Christians.

Perspective

The teachings of Arius were also causing much disruption upon the peace and unity of the Church, that the Emperor Constantine himself had to get involved, calling for a council of bishops to settle the matter as quickly as possible.

It was then in AD 325 that the first Council of Nicaea was conducted, with Bishop Alexander leading the opposition against the heretical teachings of Arius.

At this time, it is not entirely clear how involved Athanasius was involved, but he was there.

Essentially, once Arianism was explained before the council, the majority of bishops rejected it and even added a series of anathemas towards Arius and his sympathizers.

It certainly seemed at this point that Arianism was officially dealt with, however Athanasius would come to find that his fight with this false teaching was not over.

Even after its rejection, Arianism would still continue to pull many church leaders into its teachings and thereby pressing Athanasius onward into his defense of Christ’s full deity.

Unfortunately, the fight against Arianism would continue well past his death, but because of his relentless endeavors, Arianism would find itself triumphed over by the Council of Constantinople (AD 381), where the formation of Nicene Creed was established.

Consequences:

Athanasius stood practically alone in his resistance against Arianism.

This resistance was so hardcore that it gained him the title “contra mundum,” meaning against the world

Because of the firm stance he took against the growing heresy of Arianism, he spent his entire life fighting to preserve and maintain a standard of orthodox Christianity

This conviction ultimately came at a great cost.

Three years after the first Council of Nicea, Athanasius succeeded Bishop Alexander and would continue to be bishop for 45 years until his death, but would come to experience isolation and rejection, having to spend 17 years out of those 45 years in exile

While the 17 years were not consecutive, they were in result of the five times he was exiled by three emperors.

Nonetheless, despite the hardships that Athanasius would have to endure, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest contenders for the Christian faith.

(3) major contributions this leader has made to our understanding of pastoral ministry. 

When observing his adamancy against the teachings of Arianism, this was not a trivial matter. To him, the salvation of all souls was at stake.

Athanasius knew that in order for the atonement of human sin to be able to occur, it would require one who was fully human to accomplish the atoning, and yet, only one who was fully divine could have the power to save humanity from their sins. This hypostatic union was non-negotiable to Athanasius

He said, “Those who maintain ‘There was a time when the Son was not’ rob God of his Word, like plunderers.”

It was upon this entire premise that throughout his 45 years as bishop, Athanasius produced a series of writings in the defense of the faith proclaimed at Nicaea. During this time, he also expounded upon the Nicene term homoousios, which explained how the Son is not of a “like substance” to the Father, but rather is the same substance.

When considering Athanasius’ contributions to 21st century pastoral ministry, we would do well to imitate the life of this important Church Father, a title more appropriate than Black Dwarf, given to him by his enemies because of his short stature and the darkness of his skin.

His life, stained by trial and animosity, has marked the trajectory of orthodoxy for Christians to come to hold to and proceed forth by until the return of our God-man, Jesus Christ.

I believe he manifests the pastoral description that we had to study through in Paul’s epistles to Timothy and Titus.

We see in endeavors and trials of Athanasius this kind of godliness and uncompromising, pragmatic dependence on Scripture, through which he relentlessly bears the hate of his immediate world for the honor of Christ’s identity and glory.

(3) How does he impact my own life and ministry

His life taught me how far one should go for the sake of Christian orthodoxy. For clarification, the purification of orthodoxy should not be the end goal for Christians, but rather the means by which we pursue the ultimate end goal of Christianity: true, deep, abiding adoration and worship of the Living Godhead.

Such an impact is not said in a generic, “Christianese” vacuum; Athanasius’ ability to endure and persevere through years of alienation, rejection, and isolation could only be possible when one understands what the incarnate God bore on our behalf.

It really presents a demand to heart-check my motives for pastoral ministry.

Clearly, as spelled out by Paul in his epistles, the demands associated with the vocation of pastoral ministry were reserved for godly and hardy men of the faith, not man-children looking to the pulpit for prestige and exaltation.

Much to Paul’s point and Athanasius’ example, it presents a need in me to be more hard-pressed to guard the preciousness of God’s has been entrusted to me, as a Christian and allow His Word to take fruitful precedence over over my life.