Third Century Catholic Influences

In all human history, there are rare occasions of great individuals who not only have profound effect on future generations, but who also stand the test of time and scrutiny for millennia. These people are often thought to be great leaders of society or business but when we go back even farther in time, the great thinkers and societal leaders and influencers were more often also some of the great religious influences of their day. Religious influences like Origen of Alexandria and Tertullian, even the great philosophers like Socrates and Plato have all left a make on society and Christianity. This essay briefly introduces Athanasius of Alexander and Eusebius of Caesarea, two major influences of the Christian belief that were significant in shaping some of the fundamental principles of Christian faith and principles.

According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, there seems to be some debate about the actual year, Saint Athanasius of Alexander was likely born in 298 A.D. in the city of Alexandria. (Clifford ) Very little is certain about his childhood and family other than to speculate that he was raised in the Christian faith and that, based on the mere fact that he appears to be educated in the style of the great philosophers, he was born of a moderately wealthy family. It is not known how or why the young Athanasius became involved in the Church but one tale suggests that he and his mates were asked to go into clerical training after Bishop Alexander witnessed them acting out a baptismal by the seashore. (Clifford) Athanasius had a personality and intelligence that endeared him to some and made quick enemies of others. He was humorous and quick witted, yet well-mannered and mild in tempered during debate. This bold view ...

... middle of paper ...

...Eusebius of Cæsarea." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 17 Feb. 2014 http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05617b.htm

Clifford, Cornelius. "St. Athanasius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 17 Feb. 2014. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02035a.htm

Hiestand, Gerald. "Not "Just Forgiven" : How Athanasius Overcomes The Under-Realised Eschatology Of Evangelicalism." Evangelical Quarterly Jan 2012 (2012): Christian Periodical Index. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.

Marthaler, Berard L. “The Creed: The Apostolic Faith in Contemporary Theology”. 3rd ed. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2010. Print.

Unterseher, Cody C. "The Holy Cross In The Liturgy Of Jerusalem: The Happening At The Center Of The Earth." Worship 85.4 (2011): 329-350. ATLA Catholic Periodical and Literature Index. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.