Athenagoras draws no proof for the resurrection from Christian Tradition
or the Scriptures. Many of the reasonings developed by subsequent
philosophers in support of the resurrection can be found in this work. In the
first part, Athenagoras proves that the resurrection of the body is not
beyond the power of an omnipotent God. In the second part, he argues in
favor of the unity of the human person both body and immortal soul,
concluding that as the body participates in the good and bad actions of the
soul it must likewise be rewarded or punished with it. This can only occur
if there is a resurrection.
Extracts
Supplication for the Christians (C. 177 AD):
1
“But for us who are called Christians you have not in like manner cared; but
although we commit no wrong - nay, as will appear in the sequel of this discourse,
are of all men most piously and righteously disposed towards the Deity and
towards your government - you allow us to be harassed, plundered, and
persecuted, the multitude making war upon us for our name alone.”
3
“Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, Oedipodean
intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class: proceed at once against
our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children, if any
Christian is found to live like the brutes.”
10
“That we are not atheists, therefore, seeing that we acknowledge one God,
uncreated, eternal, invisible, impassible, incomprehensible, illimitable, who is
apprehended by the understanding only and the reason, who is encompassed by
light, and beauty, and spirit, and power ineffable, by whom the universe has been
created through His Logos, and set in order, and is kept in being…But the Son of
God is the Logos of the Father, in idea and in operation; for after the pattern of
Him and by Him were all things made, the Father and the Son being one. And, the
Son being in the Father and the Father in the Son, in oneness and power of spirit,
the understanding and reason of the Father is the Son of God. The Holy Spirit also,
who works in those who speak prophetically, we regard as an effluence of God,
flowing out and returning like a ray of the sun. Who, then, would not be
 |
 |
 |