That in his death all might die - 1 March 2010 |
|
These are the questions for week 16 of the Guided Reading Course.
Athanasius, On the Incarnation
Chapter I
1. What does Athanasius believe would have happened to Adam and Eve if they had not sinned (section 3)? Do you agree?
2. How does Athanasius argue that humanity was returning “to non-existence” as a result of Adam’s sin (sections 4-5)? What explicit biblical support could Athanasius have adduced for this teaching?
Chapter II
3. What was “the divine dilemma” (section 6)?
4. Why would repentance have been an inadequate remedy (section 7)?
5. How did the incarnation solve “the divine dilemma” (section 8-9)?
Chapter III
6. What further reason for the incarnation does Athanasius identify in sections 11-16?
7. What “paradox” does Athanasius discuss in sections 17-18?
Chapter IV
8. How has the experience of death been transformed for those “who believe in Christ” (section 21)? What are the pastoral implications of this transformation?
9. Why, according to Athanasius, did Jesus die a public rather than a private death (section 21)?
10. Do you agree with Athanasius that Christ’s body “did not see corruption” (section 21)? Why? What implications, if any, does this have for Jesus’ human nature?
11. On what basis does Athanasius conclude that there is “no excuse … for those who would divide the church” (section 24)? What significance does Athanasius perceive in the outstretched arms of the crucified Christ, and in the fact that Jesus was “lifted up” on a cross (section 25)? What does the structure of this argument tell us about Athanasius’ exegetical method? How do you react to Athanasius’ approach?
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog