Page "Athanasian Creed" Paragraph 10

The use of the Creed in a sermon by Caesarius of Arles, as well as a theological resemblance to works by Vincent of Lérins, point to Southern Gaul as its origin.

The most likely time frame is in the late fifth or early sixth century AD – at least 100 years after Athanasius.

The theology of the creed is firmly rooted in the Augustinian tradition, using exact terminology of Augustine's On the Trinity ( published 415 AD ).

In the late 19th century, there was a great deal of speculation about who might have authored the creed, with suggestions including Ambrose of Milan, Venantius Fortunatus, and Hilary of Poitiers, among others.

The 1940 discovery of a lost work by Vincent of Lérins, which bears a striking similarity to much of the language of the Athanasian Creed, have led many to conclude that the creed originated either with Vincent or with his students.

For example, in the authoritative modern monograph about the creed, J. N. D.

Kelly asserts that Vincent of Lérin was not its author, but that it may have come from the same milieu, namely the area of Lérins in southern Gaul.

The oldest surviving manuscripts of the Athanasian Creed date from the late 8th century.