What do you think?
Rate this book
On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius of Alexandria: A Modern Translation with Introduction
On the Incarnation (St. Athanasius of Alexandria): A Modern Translation with IntroductionThe classic defense of the Word made flesh—clear, concise, unforgettable. Written by Athanasius in the crucible of fourth-century controversy, On the Incarnation explains why the Son of God took on our humanity and how his death and resurrection heal the world. This edition offers a faithful, contemporary translation with a crisp historical introduction and unobtrusive notes—bringing a foundational Christian classic to today’s reader.
What’s inside?Why the Word Became Human — Creation, the fall, and the divine how God remains true to himself while restoring his image in us.The Fittingness of the Incarnation — Why only the Creator can re-create; the Word as image who renews the image in humanity.The Cross and the Defeat of Death — How Christ’s death destroys corruption and sets us free from fear.The Resurrection as Public Proof — Signs, witnesses, and the Church’s transformed life as evidence of Christ risen.Answering Objections — Replies to Jews and prophecy fulfilled, idols unmasked, philosophy surpassed.Participation & Deification — “He became what we are that he might make us what he is”: theosis in Athanasius’s vision.Reading Scripture with the Rule of Faith — How the whole Bible centers on the Word’s saving work.
Why this edition?Modern & Faithful — Smooth, accurate English that preserves Athanasius’s clarity and bite.
Guided Reading — A concise introduction situates the treatise before Nicaea and amid the Arian crisis.
Concise Commentary — Light notes clarify names, Scripture allusions, and key concepts (incorruption, deification).
Reader-First Design — Clean headings and thoughtful spacing for devotion, classroom, or research.
Who is it for?Readers, students, catechists, and pastors seeking the clearest classic statement of why God became man—and what that means for human life, worship, and hope.
Meet Athanasius—bishop, confessor, teacher.Encounter the heart of Christian faith in a work that is short, luminous, and the Word made flesh for our re-creation and immortality.
What’s inside?Why the Word Became Human — Creation, the fall, and the divine how God remains true to himself while restoring his image in us.The Fittingness of the Incarnation — Why only the Creator can re-create; the Word as image who renews the image in humanity.The Cross and the Defeat of Death — How Christ’s death destroys corruption and sets us free from fear.The Resurrection as Public Proof — Signs, witnesses, and the Church’s transformed life as evidence of Christ risen.Answering Objections — Replies to Jews and prophecy fulfilled, idols unmasked, philosophy surpassed.Participation & Deification — “He became what we are that he might make us what he is”: theosis in Athanasius’s vision.Reading Scripture with the Rule of Faith — How the whole Bible centers on the Word’s saving work.
Why this edition?Modern & Faithful — Smooth, accurate English that preserves Athanasius’s clarity and bite.
Guided Reading — A concise introduction situates the treatise before Nicaea and amid the Arian crisis.
Concise Commentary — Light notes clarify names, Scripture allusions, and key concepts (incorruption, deification).
Reader-First Design — Clean headings and thoughtful spacing for devotion, classroom, or research.
Who is it for?Readers, students, catechists, and pastors seeking the clearest classic statement of why God became man—and what that means for human life, worship, and hope.
Meet Athanasius—bishop, confessor, teacher.Encounter the heart of Christian faith in a work that is short, luminous, and the Word made flesh for our re-creation and immortality.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2026
5 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Athanasius of Alexandria
354 books330 followersborn perhaps 293
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.