Athanasius: The Life of Antony and the Letter to Marcellinus
Overview
Athanasius (c. 295-373) Bishop of Alexandria, spiritual master, and theologian was a major figure of fourth-century Christendom. The Life of Antony is one of the foremost classics of asceticism. The Letter to Marcellinus is an introduction to the spiritual sense of the Psalms.
For a massive collection including over a hundred and twenty of the volumes in this series, see the Classics of Western Spirituality Bundle (126 vols.).
- An English translation of one of the most famous early Christian biographies.
- Fully integrates and cross references with other resources from your Logos or Verbum library.
- One of the most influential texts on the monastic movement in both Eastern and Western Christianity.
Top Highlights
“Let none among us have even the yearning to possess. For what benefit is there in possessing these things that we do not take with us? Why not rather own those things that we are able to take away with us—such things as prudence, justice, temperance, courage, understanding, love, concern for the poor, faith in Christ, freedom from anger, hospitality? If we possess these, we shall discover them running before, preparing hospitality for us there in the land of the meek.” (Pages 44–45)
“For he paid such close attention to what was read that nothing from Scripture did he fail to take in—rather he grasped everything, and in him the memory took the place of books.” (Page 32)
“Now ‘turning back’ is nothing except feeling regret and once more thinking about things of the world” (Page 46)
“It was indeed for this reason that he made this resound in the Psalms before his sojourn in our midst, so that just as he provided the model of the earthly and heavenly man in his own person, so also from the Psalms he who wants to do so can learn the emotions and dispositions of the souls, finding in them also the therapy and correction suited for each emotion.” (Page 112)
“‘Where were you? Why didn’t you appear in the beginning, so that you could stop my distresses?’ And a voice came to him: ‘I was here, Antony, but I waited to watch your struggle. And now, since you persevered and were not defeated, I will be your helper forever, and I will make you famous everywhere.’” (Page 39)
Robert C. Greggr Robert C. Gregg is Professor in Religious Studies, Emeritus, at Stanford University. His publications are historical studies of belief systems, with special attention to the competition of religions in the late Roman-early medieval Mediterranean and Levant.
Reviews
2 ratings
Sean Arisco
11/19/2023
Athanasius walked so Augustine could run. What an incredible gift to the body of Christ!Brad Blosser
7/22/2023
I'm not trying to be a pain here, but how can you as a Bible-centric Christian support or propose the reading of anything tendered by Athanasius despite his pushing his heretical theory of theosis? The OT and NT tell us that Lucifer and his demonic angels knew and quoted scripture. I don't believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to minor doctrinal issues. However the heresy of such statements of Athanasius in the 1st Century such as "God sent Jesus to earth and The Cross, not to die for the sins and salvation of sinners but to complete our "DIVINITY" as mankind. Not only is this the very same lie that Adam and Eve believed from their discussions with Lucifer, but it was also the exact sin that got them expelled and eternally separated from the Holy and Righteous Yehovah.