Athanasius: A Theological Introduction

by Thomas G. Weinandy

As the Patriarch of Alexandria in the critical 4th century, Athanasius' significance was without doubt profound both as a pastor and theologian. With resolute conviction and powerful personality he became the ardent champion of the Council of Nicea's affirmation of the full divinity of the Son, and in so doing he became the most resourceful and innovative theologian of his day. His Christology provided significant theological clarifications that would become decisive for Cyril of Alexandria and the Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon. Athanasius is a theologian of great importance and relevance today when many of his concerns are still our own. This book offers a fresh scholarly introduction to the theology of Athanasius that will benefit not only the student but the educated lay reader as well. Weinandy explores, in a lucid and insightful manner, all of the key theological controversies, questions and themes that appear within Athanasius' thought: Revelation, Scripture and Tradition; Creation and the Fall; The Nicene Crisis; The Incarnation and salvation; the divinity of the Holy Spirit; the Church and Sacraments; and the Christian Life and Monasticism.

150 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Thomas G. Weinandy was born January 12, 1946, in Delphos, Ohio. He entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1966, was solemnly professed in 1970, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy at St. Fidelis College, Herman, Pennsylvania in 1969, an M.A. in Systematic Theology at Washington Theological Union in 1972, and a Doctorate in Historical Theology at King’s College, University of London, in 1975.

Father Weinandy’s major fields of specialty are History of Christology, especially Patristic, Medieval and Contemporary, History of Trinitarian Theology, History of Soteriology, and Philosophical Notions of God.

He has held academic positions at Georgetown University, Mount St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, Maryland, Franciscan University of Steubenville, and Loyola College, Baltimore. Father Weinandy has served at the University of Oxford since 1991. He is the Warden of Greyfriars and tutor and lecturer in History and Doctrine in the Faculty of Theology. He was Chairman of the Faculty of Theology from 1997 to 1999. He also administers the Greyfriars Year Abroad Program.

Father Weinandy is a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the Catholic Theological Society of Great Britain, the North American Patristics Society, and the Association Internationale D’Etudes Patristiques.

His books include Does God Change? The Word’s Becoming in the Incarnation, which has been translated into Romanian; In the Likeness of Sinful Flesh: An Essay on the Humanity of Christ; The Father’s Spirit of Sonship: Reconceiving the Trinity; Does God Suffer, which has been translated into Polish; The Lord Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Christology and Soteriology; Jesus the Christ; Receiving the Promise: The Spirit’s Work of Conversion; Be Reconciled to God: A Family Guide to Confession; and Sacrament of Mercy: A Spiritual and Practical Guide to Confession.

Father Weinandy has published scholarly articles in such journals as The Thomist, New Blackfriars, Communio, First Things, Pro Ecclesia, Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, and the International Journal of Systematic Theology. His popular articles include those written for New Covenant, National Catholic Register, Pastoral Life, Canadian Catholic Review, New Oxford Review, the Arlington Catholic Herald, and The Family.

Reviews

[Cole Shiflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty helpful introduction on the soteriology of Athanasius. Somewhat redundant and the author seemed to struggle with the differences that Athanasius had with Augustine and Aquinas. He seems to attempt to reconcile all these differences without acknowledging the complexities of the issue. Overall, I enjoyed this book and am excited to see how it compares to Leithart’s introduction on Athanasius. If anything, it provided me with a framework for approaching On the Incarnation, Against the Gentiles, Against Arian, the Festal Epistles, The Life of Antony, and other works… as well as a long list of biographies to tackle on the subject. Well… on to Leithart… will update you after that.

[Darren Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, this book is way better than the one written by Leithart. For those who are familiar with Athanasius’s works, we will know that he doesn’t write in a very systematic manner. Yet, the author of this book, Weinandy was able to write and summarize Athanasius’s doctrines in a very systematic manner. Another strength of this book is that the author is critical of Athanasius’ doctrines and writings, he’s able to pinpoint how sometimes Athanasius does not write in a very helpful manner and highlight the caveats of some of Athanasius’s doctrines.

That being said, this book may not be easy for laypeople to read because it requires at least some basic to moderate understanding in the Christian doctrines. Weinandy also uses greek words (i.e. ousia, homoousia etc) in this work so readers who do not know how to read greek alphabets may have trouble following some of the explanation. Sometimes Weinandy can get a little repetitive, but overall it’s manageable because it is easier to follow compared to Leithart’s book. Although there are much fewer pages than Leithart's book, nonetheless it appears that this book is richer in content than Leithart’s work.

Finally, readers should be aware that the author isn’t a Protestant, so it contains some slight Roman Catholic slants especially with regards to the topics of pope, ecclesial tradition, lent and fasting. But since Athanasius’s work was mostly concentrated on the doctrine of theology proper and trinity, Protestant Christian readers would be able to agree with approximately the author 95% of the time.

[Zach Hedges · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise, yet also, at times, redundant, overview of the theology of Athanasius, from a primarily soteriological perspective. As the subtitle suggests, social contexts and political machinations do not factor into Weinandy's account. Where he admirably succeeds in highlighting the broad coherence that characterizes Athanasius' major works and themes, Weinandy, a self-described Thomist, equally struggles to acknowledge the distinctions that sometimes separate them from those of his later heroes (Augustine, Aquinas), and frequently returns to a few belabored applications (why can't the Eastern church see that Athanasius taught the Filioque?) Overall, however, a very accessible and highly sympathetic (if not borderline hagiographic) survey.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a Christian and yet the doctrine of the Trinity is almost completely meaningless to you, then this book might reintroduce you to what it means to be a trinitarian monotheist and why its important. If not, it may just raise a lot of questions you can go ask you pastor/priest about--either way you'll be better for it. Now, its a bit academic and it quotes straight from Athanasius all over the place, but overall it is a superb introduction to the Trinity.

[Tyson Guthrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good intro to Athanasius, but beware that he tries to paint Athanasius as a card-carrying Filioque-inserting Western trinitarian. Although, it’s worth the price of the book to hear a westerner admit that the Filioque is “a radical reconception of the doctrine of God.”

[Tim Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been tempted since finishing this a few weeks ago to go back and read it again. Astonishingly devotional.