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Rating: 
Summary: A life that will never be forgotten...
Review: I was captivated when I first read the Life of St. Antony, most likely written by the staunchly Orthodox church father Athanasius (I say 'probably' because some scholars doubt that Athanasius wrote it, however I noticed many similarities between 'Life of Antony' and 'On the Incarnation'). The book reads like a novel at times, telling of Antony's battles with demons, and his traveling farther into the desert to avoid publicity and temptation. There is also an interesting segment when Antony lives by a mountain and a cool stream, and animals are eating his small amount of grain. He gently grabs the animals and asks them why they bother him when he does not bother them? They returned no more after that. We are also told of Antony's journey into Alexandria after persecutions broke out there. Antony himself desperately wanted to be martyred, but instead he offered encouragement and consolation to those who were going to be killed. One individual whose martyrdom is mentioned is Peter, the Bishop of Alexandria at that time. Near the end of the book, Antony returns again to Alexandria, this time to dispel rumors that he is an Arian (a heretical group of the early 4th century which denied the full divinity of the Son). Athanasius makes it clear that Antony was a Nicaean.The rest of the work could be described as a kind of a monastic manual, with particular emphasis on fighting demons. Athanasius records Antony's struggles, and tells his readers how to recognize and fight the devil. Throughout the story, the power of the sign of the cross is stressed, and we are urged to sign our houses and ourselves in order to repel evil. Near the very end, Antony debates various Greek philosophers regarding the Cross and the Incarnation. Antony, despite being uneducated, holds his own with the men, and they leave having learned something. Antony is the vehicle for many miracles, but those who sought help are always told to give the glory to God, because Antony himself really did nothing. Antony is the picture of Biblical humility and self-denial. The life of Antony is a powerful example to all Christians. My church history professor said that if you only have time to read one book from the Patristic period, 'Life of Antony' should be that book. I couldn't agree more: the Life of Antony is a spiritual classic.
Rating:
Summary: Supernatural foundations
Review: If you are searching for spirituality, this record of Saint Antony's life provides fascinating detail of living daily within the framework of a world ruled by the Prince of the Air. Written within 25 years of the Nicene Creed, this perspective lends to observing the powerful foundation upon which orthodoxy (and heresy) was built, that is, the up-close interaction with both God and His enemies. Thus, his life is not recorded chronologically, but through the narrative telling of encounter after encounter. These encounters begin when Antony was left alone in the world with his sister as an early adult. From the very start, Antony's spiritual journey delved into what is now taboo for many Christians: spiritual warfare. Seeking the devil out on his own terms, Antony refused to give into temptation and immediately became a target for attack. The end of his career as a hermit brought forth powerful prayer, wisdom, and - thanks to Life of Antony - considerable fame. Virtually unknown today, Antony remains a largely untapped resource.
Rating:
Summary: Supernatural foundations
Review: If you are searching for spirituality, this record of Saint Antony's life provides fascinating detail of living daily within the framework of a world ruled by the Prince of the Air. Written within 25 years of the Nicene Creed, this perspective lends to observing the powerful foundation upon which orthodoxy (and heresy) was built, that is, the up-close interaction with both God and His enemies. Thus, his life is not recorded chronologically, but through the narrative telling of encounter after encounter. These encounters begin when Antony was left alone in the world with his sister as an early adult. From the very start, Antony's spiritual journey delved into what is now taboo for many Christians: spiritual warfare. Seeking the devil out on his own terms, Antony refused to give into temptation and immediately became a target for attack. The end of his career as a hermit brought forth powerful prayer, wisdom, and - thanks to Life of Antony - considerable fame. Virtually unknown today, Antony remains a largely untapped resource.
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