Katelyn Cornett

     On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius is a short treaty about the theology of Christianity written simply to explain Christ’s manifestation to humanity. Throughout On the Incarnation, Athanasius addresses many aspects of Christianity, including how the Jews lacked belief and how the Greeks mocked Christianity (84). People of this time were supplementing their need for Jesus with worldly objects, which only added to the void created by God’s absence. More importantly, On the Incarnation lays out the history of humankind and how God created them perfectly. Unfortunately, due to the fall of humanity in the garden of Eden, God’s perfect plan for man to live incorrupt in Heaven after physical death was ruined. Thus, as Athanasius illustrates, for God’s divine plan to be accomplished, it was requisite that he send Christ incarnate to teach God’s will and redeem the world from the evil they were supplementing to fill the void in their hearts that only God can suffice....

       People look into mirrors every day, but what do they see, and what do others see that they do not see in themselves? Dante utilizes the analogy of the mirrors to illustrate that as one develops knowledge and a relationship with God, they will begin to reflect more of his light into the world around them. Dante proposes people need to understand what they are reflecting through their life. He demonstrates this sentiment through his travels through the heavenly spheres. As he ascends and becomes closer to God, his understanding begins to change, and he becomes more aligned with God.       In Canto Two, Beatrice introduces Dante to the mirror analogy to demonstrate that God’s light is equally intense in each person, but how we perceive that light changes based on how close they are to God (2.97-105). The closer a person is in relation to God, the brighter they will seem to shine, but it does not change the radiance of God’s light or power. Bea...