On the incarnation by Athanasius (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 1 (Creation and fall) and 2 (Divine dilemma and its solution in the incarnation).
In Chapter One Athansius begins unpacking the gospel by starting with the beginning itself: creation. We hear about the creation of man and then the fall of man. Athanasius explains why he starts here: 'You may be wondering why we are discussing the origin of men when we set out to talk about the Word's becoming Man. The former subject is relevant to the latter for this reason: it was our sorry case that caused the Word to come down, our transgression that called out His love for us, so that He made haste to help us and to appear among us.'
Then in Chapter Two Athanasius proves that the only solution to man's sin was the incarnation and death of God's son.
This work is surprisingly easy to read.
I particularly enjoyed the comparison between the non-Christian and the Christian reactions to the incarnation: 'That mystery the Jews traduce, the Greeks deride, but we adore; and your own love and devotion to the Word also will be the greater, because in His Manhood He seems so little worth. For it is a fact that the more unbelievers pour scorn on Him, so much the more does He make His Godhead evident. The things which they, as men, rule out as impossible, He plainly shows to be possible; that which they deride as unfitting, His goodness makes most fit; and things which these wiseacres laugh at as "human" He by His inherent might declares divine. Thus by what seems His utter poverty and weakness on the cross He overturns the pomp and parade of idols, and quietly and hiddenly wins over the mockers and unbelievers to recognize Him as God.'
What they consider foolishness, we consider to be the power of God.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 3 (The divine dilemma and its solution in the incarnation continued).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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