In spite of Nicea's condemnation of Arius in 325, Arianism was far from dead. For decades after Nicea, political intrigue and personality clashes continued to confuse the doctrinal issues. Additionally, the line separating othodoxy from Arianism was blurred by a number of "semi-Arians" who agreed with the theology of orthodoxy but continued to object to the "homoousios" of the Nicene Formula. In this milieu, Athanasius of Alexandria tirelessly worked to cut through the confusion and restore unity. Sometimes alone against the world, Athanasius rejected all attempts at unity through ambiguity and strove for unity through clarity. His Four Discourses Against the Arians are the culmination of these efforts. By these, Athanasius successfully defended the theology of the Nicene Formula and united the orthodox Church. For doing so, Athanasius holds an honored place in Church history. (summary by Jonathan Lange)
Chapters
1
I.1 Introduction Read by Jonathan Lange 9:49
2
I.2 Extracts from the Thalia of Arius Read by Jonathan Lange 8:09
3
I.3 The Importance of the Subject Read by Jonathan Lange 10:34
4
I.4 That the Son is Eternal and Increate Read by Jonathan Lange 10:33
5
I.5 That the Son is Eternal and Increate, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 9:32
6
I.6 That the Son is Eternal and Increate, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 16:56
7
I.7 Objections to the Foregoing Proof Read by Jonathan Lange 10:38
8
I.8 Objections continued Read by Jonathan Lange 10:41
9
I.9 Objections continued Read by Jonathan Lange 12:36
10
I.10 Objections continued Read by Jonathan Lange 6:48
11
I.11 Texts Explained 1st: Philippians 2:9-10 Read by Jonathan Lange 26:01
12
I.12 Texts Explained 2nd: Psalm 45:7-8 Read by Jonathan Lange 21:09
13
I.13 Texts Explained 3rd: Hebrews 1:4 Read by Jonathan Lange 33:15
14
II.14 Texts Explained 4th: Hebrews 3:2 Read by Jonathan Lange 31:33
15
II.15 Texts Explained 5th: Acts 2:36 Read by Jonathan Lange 19:45
16
II.16 Introductory to Proverbs 8:22, that the Son is not a Creature Read by Jonathan Lange 17:31
17
II.17 That the Son is not a Creature, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 17:59
18
II.18 That the Son is not a Creature, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 36:34
19
II.19 Texts Explained 6th: Proverbs 8:22 Read by Jonathan Lange 19:31
20
II.20 Texts Explained 6th: Proverbs 8:22, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 17:00
21
II.21 Texts Explained 6th: Proverbs 8:22, continued Read by Jonathan Lange 45:19
22
II.22 Context of Proverbs 8:22, viz. 22-30 Read by Jonathan Lange 28:04
23
III.23 Texts Explained 7th: John 14:10, Introduction Read by Jonathan Lange 17:33
24
III.24 Texts Explained 8th: John 17:3, and the like Read by Jonathan Lange 8:59
25
III.25 Texts Explained 9th: John 10:30, 17:11, etc. Read by Jonathan Lange 45:41
26
III.26 Introductory to Texts from the Gospels on the Incarnation Read by Jonathan Lange 26:59
27
III.27 Texts Explained 10th: Matthew 11:27, John 3:35, etc. Read by Jonathan Lange 16:27
28
III.28 Texts Explained 11th: Mark 13:32, Luke 2:52 Read by Jonathan Lange 30:07
29
III.29 Texts Explained 12th: Matthew 26:29, John 12:27, etc. Read by Jonathan Lange 13:13
30
III.30 Objections continued (as in Chapters 7-10) Read by Jonathan Lange 28:59
31
IV. The Substantiality of the Word, § 1-7 Read by Jonathan Lange 17:40
32
IV. The Distinction of Divine Persons, § 8-14 Read by Jonathan Lange 15:37
33
IV. The Identity of Word and Son, § 15-25 Read by Jonathan Lange 29:57
34
IV. That the Son is the Co-existing Word, argued from the Scriptures, § 26-36 Read by Jonathan Lange 25:17
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