Questions for Chapters I-II
1) On pg. 33, St. Athanasios writes, "Had it been a case of trespass only, and not of subsequent corruption, repentance would have been well enough." What do you think of this quote and does it change or confirm your belief about the purpose of the Incarnation?
2) Why does St. Athanasios say that it was necessary that the Word of God take upon human nature from the Holy Virgin? (section 8&9 of chapter II)
3) According to section 10 what was achieved by the death and resurrection of the Lord?
4) Reflecting upon this chapter what do you think would be the consequences for creation had our Lord not been incarnate?
Questions for Chapter III
1) According to St. Athanasios what is the only true blessed and happy life for man?
2) What were the 3 ways opened to man so that he might attain knowledge of God?
3) Looking at section 15, what are some of the ways that the Lord led mankind to the knowledge of the Father?
4) In what way doe Christ reveal His true humanity and His true divinity?
Questions for chapter IV
1) In western Christianity, at least since the time of Augustine, there has been an understanding that Christ paid man's "debt" owed to the Father. In section 20 St. Athanasios seems to make the claim that the debt was owed not to the Father but to death. How do you think that these two differing views of debt effect our perception of God?
2) In section 21 we are given a glimpse of what might be considered the definitive characteristics of the early Church, joy and hope in the Resurrection (Interestingly enough this seems to have ultimately been what attracted people to the early Church). Do we still have this joy? If not, why have we lost it, and how might we re-acquire it?
3) What does St. Athanasios say was the "supreme object" of our Lord's coming?
4) What are some of the reasons that St. Athanasios gives us for the savior choosing the cross as the mode of His death?
Questions for Chapter V
1. What are the empirical proofs to which St. Athanasius refers again and again, in sections 27 through 29, as proof of Christ's destruction of death's power?
2. What are the empirical proofs to which St. Athanasius refers in sections 30 and 31 to establish that Christ lives after His death?
3. Does St. Athanasius view the body which Christ assumed in the Incarnation as mortal or somehow able to avoid death?
Questions for Chapter VI
1. What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem and how does that set Christ's birth apart from that of the prophets?
2. How is Christ's contact with idols, and the consequences of that contact, contrasted with that of the prophets? What has happened in Egypt because of Christ?
3. How were the signs and miracles which Christ performed different from those of the prophets?
4. What happens to Jerusalem and prophecy in Israel after Christ?
Finally, St. Athanasius's argument in Chapters V and VI relies heavily on signs and miracles. What does this say about his view of the Church? Do we share this experiential/charismatic view?
The following notes in section E might be helpful when reading St. Athanasios’ text
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