Episode Overview: "Ancient Wisdom"

In this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, host Stephen Nichols launches a special August reading series by spotlighting the classic work On the Incarnation by the church father Athanasius. Nichols encourages listeners to invest in reading ancient Christian texts, particularly Athanasius’s seminal defense of the doctrine of the Incarnation. The episode weaves in the insights of C.S. Lewis, who wrote a celebrated preface to a modern edition of On the Incarnation, and distills Athanasius’s core arguments about why God became man.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Reading Ancient Books

• C.S. Lewis on Ancient Texts (00:35):
  • Nichols introduces Lewis's renowned preface, which advocates for reading primary ancient works over modern summaries or interpretations.
  • Quote (Lewis via Nichols, 00:45):
    “There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject, the ancient books should be read only by the professionals and that the amateurs should content himself with the modern books.”
  • Lewis laments that students often avoid foundational sources (e.g., Plato, Athanasius) in favor of newer, less engaging commentaries.
  • Suggests a rule: read an ancient book for every modern one, or at least one for every three modern reads (01:30).

2. C.S. Lewis on Athanasius: "Athanasius Contra Mundum"

• Nichols shares Lewis’s admiration for Athanasius’s stand for Trinitarian doctrine, even as much of the world drifted toward Arianism (02:00).
• Quote (Lewis via Nichols, 02:23):
  “It is his glory that he did not move with the times. It is his reward that he now remains when those times, as all times do, have passed away.”
• Athanasius’s faithfulness is compared to the spirit of Lewis’s own nation, standing against the world for what is true.

3. The Three Arguments in On the Incarnation

Nichols succinctly breaks down Athanasius’s core reasons for the Incarnation (03:05):

a) Life and Death

• Humanity is “dead in sin, and… helpless.”
• Key insight: God’s goodness would not allow His creatures to remain in this state; hence, “the Word became flesh… so that we who are dead could become alive.”

b) Knowledge and Ignorance

• Refers to Jesus’s declaration in the Gospel of John: He has come to make the Father known.
• “We all have partial knowledge of God in the witness… of his creation, but we don’t have the knowledge of redemption apart from the incarnate Word.”

c) The Resurrection of the Body

• Jesus’s true humanity and real physical resurrection is essential.
• “He is the first fruits of the resurrection, the reason and the proof that we will also rise from the dead.”

4. Athanasius’s Defense and Conclusion

• After presenting his case, Athanasius addresses and refutes objections against the Incarnation.
• Nichols closes with praise for this enduring work and its relevance for modern believers (04:40).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Beach Reading (00:12):
  “You’ll likely be the only person at the beach with that book, but I’m telling you, it’s worth it.” — Stephen Nichols

• On Modern vs. Ancient Authors (01:05):
  “That modern author is likely to be ten times more boring than the original text.” — C.S. Lewis (via Nichols)

• On Athanasius’s Legacy (02:25):
  “It is his glory that he did not move with the times. It is his reward that he now remains when those times... have passed away.” — C.S. Lewis (via Nichols)

Important Timestamps

• 00:07 – Nichols introduces the series and recommends On the Incarnation as essential August reading.
• 00:35 – C.S. Lewis’s rationale for reading ancient books.
• 02:00 – “Athanasius contra mundum,” Athanasius’s stand for orthodoxy.
• 03:05 – The threefold argument of On the Incarnation (life & death, knowledge & ignorance, resurrection).
• 04:40 – Nichols summarizes Athanasius’s book and ties together Lewis’s and Athanasius’s wisdom.

Episode Tone & Language

Nichols’s tone is accessible and encouraging, blending scholarly insight with warmth and wittiness. The episode is both informative and inviting, ideal for listeners new to ancient Christian writers and those looking for spiritual “beach reading” with substance.

Summary

This concise episode intertwines C.S. Lewis’s wisdom about the enduring value of ancient Christian texts with Athanasius’s profound theological arguments on the necessity of the Incarnation. Nichols’s presentation makes church history approachable and relevant, urging listeners to bridge their faith with the deep roots of the Christian past.