An Analysis of Athanasius's Li
Anthanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, is credited with creating Life of Antony. It is believed that St. Athanasius wrote it in Greek "during one of his two long stays in the deserts of Egypt, in 356 and 366, at the time of the Arian crisis." And although the balance of qualified opinion is on the side of the Athanasian authorship, much controversy still surrounds this claim.Although Athanasius claims to seeing Antony on several occasions and even submitting himself to the role of "his attendant for a long time, and [pouring] water on his hands," historical records show that Athanasius bears only an indirect relationship to the historical Antony. In his letter Athanasius exalts Antony in such a fashion as to imply a personal, close relationship with him. However, he mentions Antony "only once in his other writings." While Athanasius corresponded with various monks, historical data displays "no correspondence with Antony." Additionally, a rather tentative theory about the authorship of Life of Antony may also explain an ancient feud. Eusebius's Life of Constantine and Athanasius's Life of Antony, upon closer examination, actually share a great number of common concerns. Such common themes and other internal indications e
" At a later date, certain historians proved that Life of Antony did not belong to the realm of biography but in fact to that of aretology, a form of writing which complied with precise rules of literary composition. And also, he substantiates the moral acts of Christians by asserting that the Father will redeem such conducts with not only the kingdom of heaven, but also fame account of their virtue. " The author consequently writes more as an artist than as a scribe. Its aim was not to provide historical and objective testimony of a man's life but to offer the reader an edifying picture of an ideal life; which is almost to say that "it was the literary expression of an ideal model of behaviour. " Thus, the author uses the words of the Scripture to provide the inspiration and motivation for Antony to continue his virtuous feat and hopefully to stir the same emotions in the Christian soul. He illustrates vivid pictures of life in the desert rather then compiling a detailed report of the saint's daily activities. " And these promises were truly fulfilled, as Antony maintained superb physical health even into his golden years, and his fame blazoned everywhere. " Through such scrutiny of the practices of discipline by others, he had compiled "supplies for his journey in the way of virtue. The Life of Antony also seems to address non-Christians or pagan sages. " But of course, this theory is mere speculation. Throughout the whole text, scarcely so much as one sentence "meets the eye of a kind to recall any notions or sentiments which are distinctively Christian. This widespread acclaim for his name "is clear proof of his virtue and God's love of his soul. ] prove, not only that the demons, whom the Greeks themselves think to be gods, are no gods, but also read them under foot and put them to flight, as deceivers and corrupters of mankind, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Common topics in this essay:
Life Antony,
St Athanasius,
Scripture Gospel,
God Christians,
Jesus Christ,
life antony,
Antony Additionally,
Christ Lord,
Bishop Alexandria,
jesus christ,
god's love,
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