Athanasius’s writes the Life of Antony to display his belief that through discipline and sacrifice one can come closer to God. He uses Antony’s story to demonstrate how a person can completely commit themselves to the word of God. He states that through imitation God will answer your prayers and aid you throughout your life. This is displayed when he says, “…our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ glorifies those who glorify Him” (Athanasius 9). Athanasius reveres the actions Antony takes in order to glorify God by depicting him in a way similar to Jesus Christ. In doing this Athanasius is able to successful display the rewards one receives through venerating the Lord.
Athanasius displays Antony’s commitment to the Lord by recounting how Antony bravely fought off the demons in order to be faithful to God. Similar to Jesus sacrificing himself on the cross, Antony suffered a great amount in order to remain faithful to the Lord and set a good example for others looking to become closer to God. When the demons came to Antony they attacked and beat him until he almost died. The Lord did not come to him until he had greatly suffered. When Antony asked him why he had not come sooner the Lord responded, “‘Antony, I was here, but I waited to see thy fight; wherefore since thou hast endured, and hast not been worsted, I will ever be a succor to thee, and will make thy name known everywhere’” (Athanasius 5). Through his suffering God saw his commitment and promised to aid him and make his name known . His willingness to suffer for the Lord displays the parallel between Antony’s actions and Jesus. His complete devotion brought him rewards and the grace of God.
Throughout Antony’s life he fasts for long periods of time eating only bread and water very infrequently. Through this he displays his fight against gluttony and his willingness to sacrifice for the Lord. He is constantly fighting against temptations in order to be pure and one with God. Instead of starving he remains looking radiant and strong. Throughout his fasting, God remains with Antony keeping his body healthy. This represents how all a person needs is God. This act of fasting is similar to Jesus when he fasted for forty days while facing temptation. These similarities between Antony and Jesus show how not only is Antony trying to get closer to God and Jesus, but he is also trying to imitate his actions.
Athanasius writes about Antony’s devotion so that others who hear the story of the Life of Antony may emulate him. In doing so they will be in the grace of the lord, glorified, and rewarded. Although he suffered in many ways, ultimately Athanasius’s point was that Antony’s reward was worth the pain. Like Antony said “That progress in virtue. And retirement from the world for the sake of it, ought not to be measured by time, but by desire and fixity of purpose” (Athanasius 4). In order to be close to God you must really want it. You must be willing to suffer and sacrifice all that you love because in the end God comes first. Jesus sacrificed his life to save the people God loved from sin. Antony sacrificed all he had, was beaten, and was tempted. These sacrifices were not what were important though, the important thing is that they were willing to do it. Athanasius tells the story of Antony following the word of the Lord and the actions of Jesus encouraging the world to do the same.
Athanasius displays Antony’s commitment to the Lord by recounting how Antony bravely fought off the demons in order to be faithful to God. Similar to Jesus sacrificing himself on the cross, Antony suffered a great amount in order to remain faithful to the Lord and set a good example for others looking to become closer to God. When the demons came to Antony they attacked and beat him until he almost died. The Lord did not come to him until he had greatly suffered. When Antony asked him why he had not come sooner the Lord responded, “‘Antony, I was here, but I waited to see thy fight; wherefore since thou hast endured, and hast not been worsted, I will ever be a succor to thee, and will make thy name known everywhere’” (Athanasius 5). Through his suffering God saw his commitment and promised to aid him and make his name known . His willingness to suffer for the Lord displays the parallel between Antony’s actions and Jesus. His complete devotion brought him rewards and the grace of God.
Throughout Antony’s life he fasts for long periods of time eating only bread and water very infrequently. Through this he displays his fight against gluttony and his willingness to sacrifice for the Lord. He is constantly fighting against temptations in order to be pure and one with God. Instead of starving he remains looking radiant and strong. Throughout his fasting, God remains with Antony keeping his body healthy. This represents how all a person needs is God. This act of fasting is similar to Jesus when he fasted for forty days while facing temptation. These similarities between Antony and Jesus show how not only is Antony trying to get closer to God and Jesus, but he is also trying to imitate his actions.
Athanasius writes about Antony’s devotion so that others who hear the story of the Life of Antony may emulate him. In doing so they will be in the grace of the lord, glorified, and rewarded. Although he suffered in many ways, ultimately Athanasius’s point was that Antony’s reward was worth the pain. Like Antony said “That progress in virtue. And retirement from the world for the sake of it, ought not to be measured by time, but by desire and fixity of purpose” (Athanasius 4). In order to be close to God you must really want it. You must be willing to suffer and sacrifice all that you love because in the end God comes first. Jesus sacrificed his life to save the people God loved from sin. Antony sacrificed all he had, was beaten, and was tempted. These sacrifices were not what were important though, the important thing is that they were willing to do it. Athanasius tells the story of Antony following the word of the Lord and the actions of Jesus encouraging the world to do the same.
Bibliography
Athanasius, Life of Antony, Select Writings from Athanasius, trans. T.H Ellershaw. (New York 1924, repr. 1957), 195-221.
The idea of having to "suffer and sacrifice all that you love," is strange and foreign to me. I have a problem with the fact that you have to give up everything you love in order to know God fully. What happens when you love God with a full heart? Do you have to suffer and give him up too? I think that people should be able to enjoy material objects and love the fact that God created these wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteLauren