Athanasius (296-373)

Major works

•          Contra Gentiles;

•          De incarnatione (argued that God assumed human nature in Christ)

Importance

•          Bishop of Alexandria from 328-73 whose name became synonymous with Nicene orthodoxy

•          Defended deity of Christ and monotheism

•          Strong foe of Arianism

•          Brought about condemnation of Arianism at Council of Nicea (325)

•          Said Christ must be divine to save mankind

•          Argued for deity of Holy Spirit

•          Said if Christ was not divine then Christians were involved with idolatry

•          Exiled five times as a determined fighter for orthodoxy