The Athenagoras of Athens
Introduction and the Personality of Athenagoras
The saint speaks about Athenagoras who was from Athens and moved to Alexandria, becoming a teacher and director of the philosophical academy, influenced by Platonic (Neo-Platonic) philosophy, and early in his life he was hostile to Christianity but then read the Holy Bible, embraced the faith and became one of its defenders.
His Intellectual Style and Handling of Texts
He used to enter wearing philosophers’ clothes and present his ideas in a convincing philosophical rational way; he quoted philosophers and chose what was suitable, and he used the Holy Bible in his defense without always citing literal textual references as we have.
His Main Works
His most important books: the book A Defense of Christianity and a discourse on the resurrection of bodies; he sent his defense to Emperor Marcus Aurelius at a time of persecution of Christians.
Accusations Faced by Christians and the Defenders’ Responses
He presented the historical accusations against Christians (atheism, immoral relations, cannibalism) and showed that defenders like Athenagoras replied philosophically and wrote that Christians believe in one eternal God, and explained how the mystery of the Eucharist is misunderstood, and that Christians’ morals and chastity stand against these accusations.
Methodology of Responding to Denial of the Resurrection
He addressed the denial of the resurrection by some groups and answered with reasoning saying that God’s power is not incapable of reassembling bodies no matter how they decomposed or entered into other creatures, and that the resurrection fulfills the purpose of creating man and his eternal life.
Evidence of the Resurrection and Its Spiritual Aims
He presented philosophical and theological proofs: that man was created to live and enjoy God, that the union of body and soul is necessary for human completeness, and that reward and punishment in eternity must include both body and soul together, therefore there must be a resurrection of the bodies.
The Importance of Collecting the Fathers’ Sayings
He concluded by affirming the richness of the fathers’ sayings on the resurrection and the defense of the faith and called to collect these materials to compile a reference on the resurrection in Christian thought.
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