The following observations are based on my reading of Athanasius' "On the Incarnation" this Advent 2025 along with some other pastors with connections to Bury.
Chapter 5 (paragraphs 26 to 32) is on the subject of the resurrection.
"Then, having once let it be seen that it was truly dead, He did not allow that temple of His body to linger long, but forthwith on the third day raised it up, impassable and incorruptible, the pledge and token of His victory."
"the Son of God after three days showed His once dead body immortal and incorruptible; and it was evident to all that it was from no natural weakness that the body which the Word indwelt had died, but in order that in it by the Saviour's power death might be done away."
For Athanasius, the fact of Christian martyrdom constitutes proof of the resurrection. He makes a comparison with asbestos which cannot be destroyed by fire. The fact that death is trampled by the sign of the cross proves that Christ is the arch-victor.
"Death having been slain by Him, then, what other issue could there be than the resurrection of His body and its open demonstration as the monument of His victory?"
As further proof of Christ's resurrection, Athanasius adduces the influence of Christ after he has died, drawing people to faith and prompting them to virtue. "This is the work of one who lives, and not of one dead, and, more than that, it is the work of God."
"... what was ultimately to become of that body upon which the Word had descended? Mortal and offered to death on behalf of all as it was, it could not but die; indeed, it was for that very purpose that the Saviour had prepared it for Himself. But on the other hand it could not remain dead, because it had become the very temple of Life. It therefore died, as mortal, but lived again because of the Life within it; and its resurrection is made known through its works.
Chapter 5 (paragraphs 26 to 32) is on the subject of the resurrection.
"Then, having once let it be seen that it was truly dead, He did not allow that temple of His body to linger long, but forthwith on the third day raised it up, impassable and incorruptible, the pledge and token of His victory."
"the Son of God after three days showed His once dead body immortal and incorruptible; and it was evident to all that it was from no natural weakness that the body which the Word indwelt had died, but in order that in it by the Saviour's power death might be done away."
For Athanasius, the fact of Christian martyrdom constitutes proof of the resurrection. He makes a comparison with asbestos which cannot be destroyed by fire. The fact that death is trampled by the sign of the cross proves that Christ is the arch-victor.
"Death having been slain by Him, then, what other issue could there be than the resurrection of His body and its open demonstration as the monument of His victory?"
As further proof of Christ's resurrection, Athanasius adduces the influence of Christ after he has died, drawing people to faith and prompting them to virtue. "This is the work of one who lives, and not of one dead, and, more than that, it is the work of God."
"... what was ultimately to become of that body upon which the Word had descended? Mortal and offered to death on behalf of all as it was, it could not but die; indeed, it was for that very purpose that the Saviour had prepared it for Himself. But on the other hand it could not remain dead, because it had become the very temple of Life. It therefore died, as mortal, but lived again because of the Life within it; and its resurrection is made known through its works.
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