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Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series #4
A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Vol. 4: Second Series; Translated Into English With Prolegomena and ... Select Works and Letters
Excerpt from A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church
Ir is with a sense of deep obligation to Mr. Robertson, the special editor, that this volume of the post-nicene series of the Fathers is presented to the subscribers and the public. It will furnish, as is believed, a more comprehensive and thorough introduction to the study of Athanasius than is elsewhere accessible, and the labour and devotion bestowed upon it are beyond all acknowledgment. Thanks must also be expressed to the publishers, by whose liberality the ordinary limits of the volumes of this series have been extended, in order that so important a Father as Athanasius might be represented with as much fulness as possible. Mr. Robertson's Preface explains the care and respect with which the translation and notes of Cardinal Newman have been treated, in reprinting them for the purpose of this edition. But there appeared in some parts of the translation inaccuracies which could not be reproduced consistently with a faithful representation of the original; and so far, therefore, and so far only, it has been corrected. Where any correction has been made in the Cardinal's notes, it is of course distinctly specified. I must add an expression of particular gratitude to my friend, the Rev. J. H. Lupton, Surmaster of St. Paul's School, for his generous help in reading the translations throughout, and for various valuable suggestions. The assistance of his scholarly learning gives me additional confidence in presenting this volume to the public.
Ir is with a sense of deep obligation to Mr. Robertson, the special editor, that this volume of the post-nicene series of the Fathers is presented to the subscribers and the public. It will furnish, as is believed, a more comprehensive and thorough introduction to the study of Athanasius than is elsewhere accessible, and the labour and devotion bestowed upon it are beyond all acknowledgment. Thanks must also be expressed to the publishers, by whose liberality the ordinary limits of the volumes of this series have been extended, in order that so important a Father as Athanasius might be represented with as much fulness as possible. Mr. Robertson's Preface explains the care and respect with which the translation and notes of Cardinal Newman have been treated, in reprinting them for the purpose of this edition. But there appeared in some parts of the translation inaccuracies which could not be reproduced consistently with a faithful representation of the original; and so far, therefore, and so far only, it has been corrected. Where any correction has been made in the Cardinal's notes, it is of course distinctly specified. I must add an expression of particular gratitude to my friend, the Rev. J. H. Lupton, Surmaster of St. Paul's School, for his generous help in reading the translations throughout, and for various valuable suggestions. The assistance of his scholarly learning gives me additional confidence in presenting this volume to the public.
704 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1842
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About the author
Philip Schaff
1,633 books66 followersPhilip Schaff was educated at the gymnasium of Stuttgart, and at the universities of Tübingen, Halle and Berlin, where he was successively influenced by Baur and Schmid, by Tholuck and Julius Müller, by David Strauss and, above all, Neander. At Berlin, in 1841, he took the degree of B.D., and passed examinations for a professorship. He then traveled through Italy and Sicily as tutor to Baron Krischer. In 1842 he was Privatdozent in the University of Berlin, where he lectured on exegesis and church history. In 1843 he was called to become professor of church history and Biblical literature in the German Reformed Theological Seminary of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, then the only seminary of that church in America.
On his journey he stayed in England and met Edward Pusey and other Tractarians. His inaugural address on The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in German at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and published in German with an English version by John Williamson Nevin was a pioneer work in English in the field of symbolics (that is, the authoritative ecclesiastical formulations of religious doctrines in creeds or confessions). This address and the "Mercersburg Theology" which he taught seemed too pro-Catholic to some, and he was charged with heresy. But, at the synod at York in 1845, he was unanimously acquitted.
Schaff's broad views strongly influenced the German Reformed Church, through his teaching at Mercersburg, through his championship of English in German Reformed churches and schools in America, through his hymnal (1859), through his labours as chairman of the committee which prepared a new liturgy, and by his edition (1863) of the Heidelberg Catechism. His History of the Apostolic Church (in German, 1851; in English, 1853) and his History of the Christian Church (7 vols., 1858-1890), opened a new period in American study of ecclesiastical history.
In 1854, he visited Europe, representing the American German churches at the ecclesiastical diet at Frankfort and at the Swiss pastoral conference at Basel. He lectured in Germany on America, and received the degree of D.D. from Berlin.
In consequence of the ravages of the American Civil War the theological seminary at Mercersburg was closed for a while and so in 1863 Dr. Schaff became secretary of the Sabbath Committee (which fought the “continental Sunday”) in New York City, and held the position till 1870. In 1865 he founded the first German Sunday School in Stuttgart. In 1862-1867 he lectured on church history at Andover.
Schaff was a member of the Leipzig Historical Society, the Netherland Historical Society, and other historical and literary societies in Europe and America. He was one of the founders, and honorary secretary, of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and was sent to Europe in 1869, 1872, and 1873 to arrange for the general conference of the Alliance, which, after two postponements on account of the Franco-Prussian War, was held in New York in October 1873. Schaff was also, in 1871, one of the Alliance delegates to the emperor of Russia to plead for the religious liberty of his subjects in the Baltic provinces.
He became a professor at Union Theological Seminary, New York City in 1870 holding first the chair of theological encyclopedia and Christian symbolism till 1873, of Hebrew and the cognate languages till 1874, of sacred literature till 1887, and finally of church history, till his death. He also served as president of the committee that translated the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before it was published in 1901.
His History of the Christian Church resembled Neander's work, though less biographical, and was pictorial rather than philosophical. He also wrote biographies, catechisms and hymnals for children, manuals of religious verse, lectures and essays on Dante, etc. He translated Johann Jakob Herzog's Real-Encyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche into English.
On his journey he stayed in England and met Edward Pusey and other Tractarians. His inaugural address on The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in German at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and published in German with an English version by John Williamson Nevin was a pioneer work in English in the field of symbolics (that is, the authoritative ecclesiastical formulations of religious doctrines in creeds or confessions). This address and the "Mercersburg Theology" which he taught seemed too pro-Catholic to some, and he was charged with heresy. But, at the synod at York in 1845, he was unanimously acquitted.
Schaff's broad views strongly influenced the German Reformed Church, through his teaching at Mercersburg, through his championship of English in German Reformed churches and schools in America, through his hymnal (1859), through his labours as chairman of the committee which prepared a new liturgy, and by his edition (1863) of the Heidelberg Catechism. His History of the Apostolic Church (in German, 1851; in English, 1853) and his History of the Christian Church (7 vols., 1858-1890), opened a new period in American study of ecclesiastical history.
In 1854, he visited Europe, representing the American German churches at the ecclesiastical diet at Frankfort and at the Swiss pastoral conference at Basel. He lectured in Germany on America, and received the degree of D.D. from Berlin.
In consequence of the ravages of the American Civil War the theological seminary at Mercersburg was closed for a while and so in 1863 Dr. Schaff became secretary of the Sabbath Committee (which fought the “continental Sunday”) in New York City, and held the position till 1870. In 1865 he founded the first German Sunday School in Stuttgart. In 1862-1867 he lectured on church history at Andover.
Schaff was a member of the Leipzig Historical Society, the Netherland Historical Society, and other historical and literary societies in Europe and America. He was one of the founders, and honorary secretary, of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and was sent to Europe in 1869, 1872, and 1873 to arrange for the general conference of the Alliance, which, after two postponements on account of the Franco-Prussian War, was held in New York in October 1873. Schaff was also, in 1871, one of the Alliance delegates to the emperor of Russia to plead for the religious liberty of his subjects in the Baltic provinces.
He became a professor at Union Theological Seminary, New York City in 1870 holding first the chair of theological encyclopedia and Christian symbolism till 1873, of Hebrew and the cognate languages till 1874, of sacred literature till 1887, and finally of church history, till his death. He also served as president of the committee that translated the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before it was published in 1901.
His History of the Christian Church resembled Neander's work, though less biographical, and was pictorial rather than philosophical. He also wrote biographies, catechisms and hymnals for children, manuals of religious verse, lectures and essays on Dante, etc. He translated Johann Jakob Herzog's Real-Encyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche into English.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 15, 2018
While probably not well known by many Christians, St. Athanasius is probably the single most influential Christian theologian and thinker who contested the Arian heresy. Had he not done so, it is quite likely that Christianity today would look much different than it does. Arianism was a slow creep back to the polytheism that Christianity was superseding, and St. Athanasius recognized it as such, combatting it doggedly in a series of books, dissertations, and letters contained in this book. I’d love to say that this is a gripping read, but it is not. To be honest, much of it is a plod to get through. Similar to St Ambrose’s writings, there is a tendency either to repeat key points over and over again, or just rephrase them slightly differently. This, along with long run on sentences and paragraphs running on more than half a page, make this a difficult book to get through. However, if you are trying to reach the source code for present day Christian doctrine, then this may be of value to you.
Of all St. Athanasius’ writings, the one in this book I found most enjoyable is his “Life of St. Anthony”. Anthony, through ascetism, prayer, fasting, study, and meditation, emerges as an ordinary man who is transformed by complete submission to God and total abnegation into a sort of Christian Jedi master —- total in tune with a higher spiritual power and holiness that give him the ability to do amazing service and feats in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. It’s an amazing story that all Christians will find inspiring.
Of all St. Athanasius’ writings, the one in this book I found most enjoyable is his “Life of St. Anthony”. Anthony, through ascetism, prayer, fasting, study, and meditation, emerges as an ordinary man who is transformed by complete submission to God and total abnegation into a sort of Christian Jedi master —- total in tune with a higher spiritual power and holiness that give him the ability to do amazing service and feats in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. It’s an amazing story that all Christians will find inspiring.
August 22, 2015
Athanasius was a bulldog when it came to Jesus, utterly refusing to let go of Christ's divinity. His was a life spent in struggle and exile that yielded great treasure for the church.
July 8, 2021
St. Athanasius is one of the most important figures in church history. During the fourth century, he was the foremost champion of the Council of Nicea's affirmation of the full Divinity of Christ against the Arian heresy. Most of this collection of his writings is concerned with the Arian controversy, and is full of rich theological reflections on Christology and the doctrine of the Incarnation. Some of the historical works in the collection may be less interesting to many modern Christians, but they do provide an important window into the historical context in which St. Athanasius wrote, showing the high-stakes nature of the ecclesial and political situation at the time. A collection of letters at the end rounds out the works of Athanasius, showing that these intense theological debates were not abstract speculation; they took place within the context of the bishop's genuine pastoral concern to see his flock daily love and serve Jesus in their thoughts, words, and deeds. This volume is a valuable collection of theological and historical writings, much of which is still quite relevant to the church today.
February 3, 2023
Cette sélection de Saint Athanase est très complète, bien faite et édifiante. Vous trouverez entre autres:
- De l'Incarnation, un de ses traités les plus pertinents et vifs, écrit avant même la querelle arienne.
-Différents petites oeuvres apologétiques anti-ariennes, qui datent du début de "la lutte"
-Vie de Saint Antoine, un petit bijou d'hagiographie.
- Défense de sa fuite, un petit traité sur la possibilité de fuir la persécution. Edifiant et percutant.
-Apologie contre les ariens, soit son traité anti-arien le plus complet et le plus technique.
-Sa correspondance, dont les lettres festales contenant la première liste de canon semblable à la nôtre.
J'ai découvert un père de l'église digne d'admiration et qui m'a passionné. Merci au Seigneur et à Philipp Schaff d'avoir édité cela.
- De l'Incarnation, un de ses traités les plus pertinents et vifs, écrit avant même la querelle arienne.
-Différents petites oeuvres apologétiques anti-ariennes, qui datent du début de "la lutte"
-Vie de Saint Antoine, un petit bijou d'hagiographie.
- Défense de sa fuite, un petit traité sur la possibilité de fuir la persécution. Edifiant et percutant.
-Apologie contre les ariens, soit son traité anti-arien le plus complet et le plus technique.
-Sa correspondance, dont les lettres festales contenant la première liste de canon semblable à la nôtre.
J'ai découvert un père de l'église digne d'admiration et qui m'a passionné. Merci au Seigneur et à Philipp Schaff d'avoir édité cela.
September 20, 2019
Very handy compilation of select Works and letters of Athanasius the Great. Robertson decided to organize the material in a generally chronology way, which is quite helpful inasmuch as one agreed with him on the chronology. At times the chronological settings led him to separate documents that were appended with some works.
My main gripe against this volume was the setting of the text itself. The very small fonts and the columns made for a very slow reading. It is time for a new edition.
My main gripe against this volume was the setting of the text itself. The very small fonts and the columns made for a very slow reading. It is time for a new edition.
September 28, 2010
This is a collection of, pretty much all, the works and letters of Athanasius, the great theologian and defender of the Trinity in the early church. Confession: I did not read the entire book word for word. I read a few treatises closely while skimming others. Perhaps I should review the specific treatises individually...but I just thought this was easier.
Two works stand out: On the Incarnation of the Word and The Life of Antony. Each of these is five star, must reads for anyone interested in the history and theology of Christianity. On the Incarnation is a clearly written explaining of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. The Life of Antony tells the exciting story of Antony, one of the first monks.
Most of the treatises deal with the Arian controversy. The most important treatise here is Against the Arians, a very long work that point-by-point refutes the Arian heresy with scripture. It gives a good glimpse of how the early church interpreted scripture.
The letters are also pretty cool, as they shed light on the more pastoral, less academic, side of Athanasius.
Two works stand out: On the Incarnation of the Word and The Life of Antony. Each of these is five star, must reads for anyone interested in the history and theology of Christianity. On the Incarnation is a clearly written explaining of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. The Life of Antony tells the exciting story of Antony, one of the first monks.
Most of the treatises deal with the Arian controversy. The most important treatise here is Against the Arians, a very long work that point-by-point refutes the Arian heresy with scripture. It gives a good glimpse of how the early church interpreted scripture.
The letters are also pretty cool, as they shed light on the more pastoral, less academic, side of Athanasius.
June 18, 2013
Every Christian who wants to be informed about Christology ought to read this monumental compilation.
The health of our theology would improved just by making reference, sermons, and adding to our teaching what he wrote about the Divinity of Jesus Christ including the exaltation of mankind because of His incarnation and ascension.
The health of our theology would improved just by making reference, sermons, and adding to our teaching what he wrote about the Divinity of Jesus Christ including the exaltation of mankind because of His incarnation and ascension.
August 23, 2015
I come once again to those books where I am not nearly qualified to review nor spend enough time in detailed reading to review. These free PDFs available online and are excellent resources for those interested in the church fathers and definitely an excellent resource for those studying anything to do with the period. These few words will have to suffice.
February 25, 2018
really enlightening to learn more on the arian controversy and better understand either the arians arguments as well as the eternal generation of the Sons.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews