Pope Athanasius I of Alexandria Critical Essay | Critical Essay by Christopher A. Hall

Critical Essay by Christopher A. Hall

SOURCE: Hall, Christopher A. “The Four Doctors of the East: Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil the Great & John Chrysostom.” In Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, pp. 56-64. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1998.

In the following excerpt, Hall explains how Athanasius remained steadfast in his position regarding Christ's dual nature as God and man.

In the four doctors of the East we encounter the preeminent teachers who exemplify the riches of Eastern patristic insight and exegesis. All four illustrate the fruitfulness of patristic biblical interpretation, although these fathers practiced their exegetical craft in response to different issues. Athanasius and Gregory of Nazianzus interpreted the Bible within the context of the Arian controversy. Their use of Scripture in resolving a tangled theological question demonstrates well their interpretive technique and the fruit it yields. As for Basil and John Chrysostom, both showed themselves to be gifted exegetes, but in a...
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