Athanasius of Alexandria (abt AD 296-372) is one of the most significant theologians of the golden age of patristic thought. He was a giant of the Faith who engaged in theological controversy and political intrigue with emperors and bishops in defense of Nicene orthodoxy. He was known as a man of fiery and uncompromising disposition. He was once told, “Athanasius, the world is against you.” He replied, “Then I am against the world!” Athanasius wrote On the Incarnation of the Word to defend against the teachings of Arius, a deacon of the Alexandrian church, who insisted that the Word of the Father was created by the Father, similar to the Father in substance, and therefore subordinate to the Father.
