Jed Sanford's Reviews > Saint Athanasius: Selected Works and Letters

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.