www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology On the Incarnation by Athanasius

I'm reading De Incarnatione (in English of course)by Athanasius of Alexandria, for part of my devotions during Advent. very interesting reading!

Ken

Dear Turpius,

Excellent!

And to think that Athanasius wrote that at a time when much of the Church had swayed into Arianism and it seemed as if it was going to be carried away by this heretical flood . . .

Also, there was a movie about Christ produced some years ago, quite offensive, that was opposed publicly by Protestant ministers, for one.

I found it interesting that these ministers took to quoting St Athanasius' work that you mention AND the canons of the Ecumenical Councils in their fight against the movie!

So they used more than Scripture alone . . .

Alex

I think I know which movie you are refering to, I remember the uproar, but the author of the book it was based on was somewhat controversial himself. I suppose the ministers in question felt, that it was neccesary to do a "when in Rome..." type of thing when dealing with Catholic/Orthodox?

I personally have no problem quoting the early Church Fathers from time to time. That is another area of study for me. I have several books of quotes by them that I am using in my research when appropriate.

Ken

Dear Ken,

Actually, I've always had a close affinity for Methodism and John Wesley in particular.

As you know, Wesley loved to read the Fathers and he himself said he revered highly Clemens Romanus and so many others.

Wesley's rule of life is just so inspiring and it is taken from the ancient Fathers' disciplines.

He included weekly fasting, regular long prayer in the morning and evening, prayer at the "Apostolic Hours" at nine, noon and three, scripture reading, of course and the like.

He even used a rosary and also a cord that he tied knots on to repeat short scriptural prayers - I used to have a Methodist book of devotion that recommended tying such a cord.

His movement was about holiness and it produced great Christian saints, to be sure.

Francis Asbury is one of my favourites (what a holy, evangelical man of God!)

I want to obtain their official prayer book that has the full list of their saints and worthies.

One of my favourite books on the Rosary is by the Methodist Minister Neville Ward (Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy).

Most of the Anglicans I know are High Church and, apart from some issues, are really very Catholic in their approach to Christianity.

I've a lot of time for the traditional Methodists especially and I like to think that we on the Catholic/Orthodox side can find inspiration from their tradition.

Alex