Page "Athanasius of Alexandria" Paragraph 74

Athanasius presented his opponents, the Arians, as a cohesive group that backed Arius ’ views and followed him as a leader.

It is now accepted by most scholars that the Arian Party was not a monolithic group, holding drastically different theological views that spanned the early Christian theological spectrum.

They supported the tenets of Origenist thought and theology, but had little else in common.

The term Arian was first coined by Athanasius to describe both followers of Arius, and followers of ideas that he deemed as bad as Arius '.

Athanasius used the term Arian to describe many of his opponents, except for Miletians.

He used the term in a derogatory fashion to chide Arius ’ supporters who did not see themselves as followers of Arius.

As stated by Timothy Barnes, Athanasius used “ invented dialogue to ridicule his adversaries ”, and used “ suppression and distortion ” to serve his own means.

He often blamed charges and accusations leveled at him on “ Arian madmen ” who he claimed conspired to destroy him and Christianity.

The Arian party, as described by Athanasius, may not have existed in the form he portrayed in his writings.

Some argue that the view of Arianism that exists to this day among most Christians would not have existed were it not for Athanasius.

However, others point to the Council of Nicaea as proof in and of itself that Arianism was a real theological ideology.

While Athanasius may have affected the general perception of Arianism, they say, his portrayal was polemical, not creative.