Folia Theologica et Canonica 1. 23/15 (2012)
SACRA THEOLOGIA - László Perendy, Athenagoras on the Triune God of Christians
80 PERENDY LÁSZLÓ categories of contemporary philosophical discussion to argue, on the basis of Platonic and Christian assumptions, for the uniqueness of God.51 Malherbe points out also that Albinus rejected the view that God is corporeal.52 So Athenagoras follows the Platonic tradition, which is at the same time a part of the Christian doctrine as well. Platonism helps him in stating God’s uniqueness with the help of philosophical terms. Malherbe summarizes the apologist’s argumentation in the following way: The other alternative to the argument is that a second or more gods and the Creator would each be in their own places. Athenagoras then reasons that a second god would be either in this world or in another world. He cannot, however, be in this world, for the God who created it as a closed, spherical entity is above His creation and controls it by His providence (p.126, 9 ff.). Neither is there place for a second god in another world, for the Creator has filled everything (p. 126, 19f., 25f.). Even if he should be in another world and its sphere, he is in no way concerned with us, for he does not control this world, nor is he great in power, for he is circumscribed by space (p. 126, 18). Thus, not only does the other god have no place to occupy, neither does he have any function to perform. So, since he neither creates, nor exercises providence, nor has any place, Athenagoras concludes, eiç oùxoç èi; àpxfjç Kcà pôvoç ô p.otr|xfiç xoo KÔapou 0eôç (p. 126,27f).53 Malherbe leaves open the question if Athenagoras is dependent on Philo or Plutarch in stating that God has filled the world.54 In his concluding remarks Malherbe emphasizes once again how skilful our apologist was in his pioneering activity of the application of philosophical terms to the defence of Christian doctrine.55 3. Admirable Command of Contemporary Platonic Terminology to Express Christian Faith? In what I call the third period of research, Athenagoras’ works have been subjected to thorough analysis. Some scholars admire him for his masterly use of Middle Platonic terminology to express his authentic Christian faith. Others see also his limitations. 51 Malherbe, A. J., Athenagoras on the Location of God, 48^t9. 52 Malherbe, A. J., Athenagoras on the Location of God, 50. 53 Malherbe, A. J., Athenagoras on the Location of God, 50. 54 Malherbe, A. J., Athenagoras on the Location of God, 51.
