Herein we will consider info on Angels in Athanasius of Alexandria (296-373 AD). The fuller complete result consists of quotations of those sections within the text that refer to Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, Devil, Satan, demons, serpent and dragon. The point is not to elucidate these references but to provide relevant partial quotations and citations. See my section on Angels here, Cherubim and Seraphim here, Satan here and Demons here.
Angels in Athanasius’ Against the Heathen, On the Incarnation of the Word, On Luke 10:22 and Matthew 11:27 and
De Decretis.
Against the Heathen
19:4 While those who profess to give still deeper and more philosophical reasons than these say, that the reason of idols being prepared and fashioned is for the invocation and manifestation of divine Angels and powers, that appearing by these means they may teach men concerning the knowledge of God; and that they serve as letters for men, by referring to which they may learn to apprehend God, from the manifestation of the divine Angels effected by their means.
21:1 If these things are made by you, you Greeks, not for the sake of a self-manifestation of God Himself, but for the sake of a presence there of Angels, why do you rank the images by which you invoke the powers as superior and above the powers invoked?
33:3 …the soul keeps awake by virtue of its own power, and transcends the natural power of the body, and as though travelling away from the body while remaining in it, imagines and beholds things above the Earth, and often even holds converse with the saints and Angels who are above Earthly and bodily existence, and approaches them in the confidence of the purity of its intelligence.
On the Incarnation of the Word
10:2 And, again: “But we behold Him, Who has been made a little lower than the Angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that by the grace of God He should taste of death for every man.”
13:7 For by men’s means it was impossible, since they are but made after an image; nor by Angels either, for not even they are (God’s) images.
40:5 …the Scripture said: “The Lord God has shined upon us;” and again: “He sent His Word and healed them;” and again: “Not a messenger, not an Angel, but the Lord Himself saved them?”
On Luke 10:22 and Matthew 11:27
5 For it is necessary not to leave any of your surmises open to you. Well then, He says by the prophet, ‘A Son is born and given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Angel of Great Counsel, mighty God, Ruler, Father of the coming age.’
6 Rash they are indeed, and self-willed, not trembling to form opinions of things which Angels desire to look into , who are so far above them, both in nature and in rank. For what is nearer [God] than the Cherubim or the Seraphim?
De Decretis Chapter 2
5 Wherefore also the blessed Apostle Paul, who had learned it from Him, when describing ecclesiastical functions, forbade that deacons, not to say bishops, should be double-tongued; and in his rebuke of the Galatians, he made a broad declaration, “If anyone preach any other Gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be anathema, as I have said, so say I again. If even we, or an Angel from heaven should preach unto you any other Gospel than that you have received, let him be anathema.”
Chapter 5
19 …according to those philosophers who refer them to the combination of atoms, and to elements of similar structure—nor as certain heretics speak of a distinct Framer,— nor as others again say that the constitution of all things is from certain Angels;— but in that (whereas God is), it was by Him that all things were brought into being, not being before, through His Word; but as to the Word.
In the next segment, we will consider more on Angels in Athanasius.
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