Terror overcomes terror
Athanasius argues: The Son assumed flesh, and its terrors, especially the terror of death.  The goal was to overcome death and terror, but the Son did this by suffering those terrors Himself.
We will be delivered from death, and not just in the future.  Athanasius points to martyrs to demonstrate that life is already victorious over death: “from that most enduring purpose and courage of the Holy Martyrs is shown, that theGodhead was not in terror, but the Saviour took away our terror.”
Life is already triumphing in the flesh, not only the flesh of Jesus but the flesh of martyrs.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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