The Great Athanasius is an introductory survey of the life and work of the most dynamic pastor-theologian of the fourth century. From his birth and early years in Alexandria to the ""Golden Decade,"" the book charts the life and work of Athanasius through a close study of his main writings and other important works. Central to his story is the ""Arian controversy,"" the Council of Nicea, and the subsequent difficulties that emerged in building a consensus around the ""very God, very Man"" affirmation of the Nicene Creed. The eventual triumph of the theology of the Nicene Creed was largely due...