The theological and doxological understanding of resurrection : an examination of its centrality within the 4th century Christian orthodox understanding of Easter with particular reference to the festal letters of St. Athanasius of Alexandria
The Festal Letters of Saint Athanasius were composed in response to a decision by the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The Council of Bishops assembled primarily to confront the teachings of Arianism, which had questioned the Nature and Person of Jesus Christ. But another problem that the Council of Nicaea faced related to the celebration of Easter. For some time the Church had become divided about the proper observance not only of Easter itself, but also the Lenten Season and the post-Easter period leading to Pentecost. The Council deputed to the Bishopric of Alexandria the task of computing the correct dates for Easter to ensure unity of theological belief and doxological expression. While the practice of composing pastoral letters had already been established in Alexandria, Athanasius continued to notify the Church concerning Easter by sending Festal Letters throughout his entire period in office. In the first instance, we shall examine the historical background to these Pastoral Epistles. The theme of resurrection is then investigated in relation to three of Athanasius' main works - Contra Gentes, De Incarnatione and Contra Arianos (I - III). The third chapter particularises the concept of resurrection
Walker, Kenneth Donald Fraser
Philosophy
The theological and doxological understanding of resurrection : an examination of its centrality within the 4th century Christian orthodox understanding of Easter with particular reference to the festal letters of St. Athanasius of Alexandria. The Festal Letters of Saint Athanasius were composed in response to a decision by the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The Council of Bishops assembled primarily to confront the teachings of Arianism, which had questioned the Nature and Person of Jesus Christ. But another problem that the Council of Nicaea faced related to the celebration of Easter. For some time the Church had become divided about the proper observance not only of Easter itself, but also the Lenten Season and the post-Easter period leading to Pentecost. The Council deputed to the Bishopric of Alexandria the task of computing the correct dates for Easter to ensure unity of theological belief and doxological expression. While the practice of composing pastoral letters had already been established in Alexandria, Athanasius continued to notify the Church concerning Easter by sending Festal Letters throughout his entire period in office. In the first instance, we shall examine the historical background to these Pastoral Epistles. The theme of resurrection is then investigated in relation to three of Athanasius' main works - Contra Gentes, De Incarnatione and Contra Arianos (I - III). The third chapter particularises the concept of resurrection
theological resurrection examination centrality within christian orthodox easter particular_reference letter athanasius alexandria letters saint athanasius compose response decision ecumenical council council bishops assemble primarily confront teaching question nature person jesus_christ another problem council face related celebration easter time church become divide proper observance easter also season post easter period lead council alexandria task compute correct date easter ensure unity theological belief expression practice compose pastoral letter already_establish alexandria athanasius continue church concern easter send letters throughout entire period office first_instance shall_examine historical_background pastoral_epistles theme resurrection investigate relation athanasius main work contra contra iii third concept resurrection