Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

Resources for Application

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Glossary

Aesculapius – According to Greek mythology, the son of Apollo who became the god of healing. Arians – People who followed the teachings of Arius: namely, that Jesus had not eternally existed as God. Arsenoitic Canal – A canal connecting the Nile River and the Faiyum Oasis. Asbestos – A mineral known for being fire-resistant. Ascesis – A spiritual discipline which early Christians practiced. The Greek word is based on the idea of athletic training which Christians appropriated for disciplining both body and soul. Ascetic – A person with an intense focus on the discipline of soul and body. The Greek root of the word is also the basis for the word “monk.” Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430) – The Bishop of Hippo who would go on to be one of the most influential theologians in all of history. Epicureans – People who followed the teachings of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. They denied the existence of a creator and sought meaning and pleasure in the material world. Gnostics – People who made a sharp distinction between the material and spiritual realms (prioritizing the spiritual realm) and believed that salvation came through secret knowledge.