Banned Books 453: Athanasius - Against the Wiles of Satan
Athanasius’s Life of Saint Antony opens a spirited discussion of discipline, prayer, fasting, temptation, and spiritual warfare. The conversation explores solitude versus community, ancient views of demons and deception, vocation, virtue, possessions, and the tension between religious appearance and genuine faith. It also considers how Christians today might respond to fear, isolation, and evil through Scripture, the cross, baptism, and communal life.
02:54:24
Invest In Virtues You Can Take With You
- Do not let possessions possess you; death separates you from land, houses, and accumulated wealth.
- Pursue durable riches instead: prudence, justice, temperance, courage, love, mercy, faith, hospitality, and freedom from anger.
Use Freedom To Serve Your Community
- Exercise discipline because Christian freedom serves neighbors rather than indulging every desire.
- Communities teach accountability, vocation, and virtue, helping people resist isolation, despair, and the cultural command to quit.
Live Each Day As A Resurrection Practice
- Practice daily dying and rising by remembering that life may end before evening.
- This memento mori loosens sin, lust, resentment, and treasure-hoarding because providence gives each day as a gift.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right 17 chevron_right 18 chevron_right 19 chevron_right 20 chevron_right 21 chevron_right 22 chevron_right 23 chevron_right 24 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Solitude Does Not End Spiritual Warfare
02:04 • 4min
Fear as a Spiritual Power
06:02 • 12min
Scripture, Tattoos, and Christian Healing
18:02 • 6min
Daily Beginnings and Resurrection
23:55 • 8min
Eternal Life Outweighs Earthly Possessions
32:17 • 12min
Individual and Communal Monasticism
43:47 • 2min
Vocation Is Received, Not Invented
45:48 • 10min
Possessions, Virtue, and Lasting Inheritance
55:30 • 5min
Recovering the Language of Virtue
01:00:06 • 18min
Freedom to Serve the Given Calling
01:18:22 • 2min
Discipline Requires Community
01:20:06 • 19min
Daily Death and Resurrection
01:38:36 • 15min
Demons, Envy, and Discernment
01:53:53 • 4min
Prayer and Fasting Defeat Temptation
01:58:16 • 6min
Rejecting False Prophecy and Earthly Grandeur
02:04:40 • 9min
Christ Has Bound the Dragon
02:14:06 • 4min
Recognizing Deception Through Its Patterns
02:18:31 • 15min
Religious Appearance Without Truth
02:33:10 • 3min
Isolation, Community, and Spiritual Direction
02:36:13 • 5min
Ancient Spiritual Warfare for Modern Christians
02:40:43 • 5min
The Cross, Prayer, and Baptized Identity
02:45:41 • 2min
Hope in the Midst of Spiritual Attack
02:47:55 • 6min
Outro
02:53:25 • 54sec
#1336
• Mentioned in 38 episodes
On The Incarnation
C.S. Lewis
Athanasius
A Religious of C.S.M.V. S.Th.
Written by St. Athanasius in the 4th century, 'On the Incarnation' is an apologetic treatise that defends the incarnation of Christ against non-believers.
Athanasius explains that the Word of God became incarnate to save fallen humanity, arguing that this act was necessary to undo the corruption of sin and restore humanity to its original state in the image of God. The book relies heavily on Scripture and the teachings of the early Church, addressing various objections to the incarnation and emphasizing the divine and human natures of Christ.
#433
• Mentioned in 88 episodes
Beowulf
Anonymous
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that chronicles the daring deeds of its titular hero, Beowulf.
The story begins with Beowulf's journey to help King Hrothgar of the Danes, whose mead hall, Heorot, is terrorized by the monster Grendel.
Beowulf kills Grendel and later Grendel's mother, then returns to his homeland to become king of the Geats.
After ruling for 50 years, he faces his final battle against a fire-breathing dragon, which ultimately leads to his death.
The poem explores themes of heroism, fate, and the struggle between civilization and wilderness.
#7230
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Life of Antony
Athanasius
Athanasius' "Life of Antony" is a hagiography detailing the life of St. Anthony of the Desert, a prominent figure in early Christian monasticism.
The book recounts Anthony's renunciation of worldly possessions, his struggles against temptation in the Egyptian desert, and his profound spiritual growth.
It depicts Anthony's life as a model of ascetic devotion and spiritual discipline, inspiring generations of Christians.
The narrative emphasizes the importance of prayer, self-denial, and the fight against spiritual forces.
The book's impact on early monasticism and its continued relevance to spiritual seekers are undeniable.
#101
• Mentioned in 221 episodes
The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.
During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible.
The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.
#70
• Mentioned in 269 episodes
The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel written in a satirical, epistolary style.
It consists of 31 letters from Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to 'Our Father Below' (the Devil), to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.
The letters provide advice on various methods of undermining God's influence and promoting abandonment of God, while offering insights into human nature and the Bible.
The book is a profound and striking narrative on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil, highlighting the subtle forms of sin such as vanity, pride, and distraction that can lead humans away from God.
#48
• Mentioned in 307 episodes
Dune
Frank Herbert
Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs.
The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities.
The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice.
Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.
#538
• Mentioned in 74 episodes
Tribe
On Homecoming and Belonging
Sebastian Junger
In 'Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging', Sebastian Junger delves into the human desire for community and belonging.
Drawing from history, psychology, and anthropology, Junger examines why many individuals, including combat veterans, often feel a stronger sense of belonging in tribal or wartime environments than in modern society.
He argues that the lack of community in affluent societies can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, while disasters and wars can paradoxically bring people together and foster a sense of unity.
The book challenges the notion that modern society is superior to tribal societies, highlighting the benefits of egalitarianism and community found in the latter.
Junger also discusses how the absence of these communal bonds can affect veterans returning from war and suggests that societal changes could help reintegrate them and improve overall societal well-being.
The Cost of Discipline.
In this episode, we sit with St. Athanasius and his writings on the life of St. Antony. How did Christians in the 4th century view spiritual warfare and affliction? What is the relation of discipline to prayer, piety, and resisting temptation? What did 4th century Christians think about virtues and vices, and whether they were (or weren't) related to the Christian life? Is it better for Christians to seek a place of solitude or community when focusing on heavenly things versus worldly things? How does Mammon factor into this? What does Scripture teach about the evil one, demons, dark powers, and evil spirits? Do we as modern Christians agree with Athanasius and Antony's views about spiritual warfare, and if not, why? This and much, much more on this week's episode.
SHOW NOTES:
Athanasius - The Life of Saint Antony https://stjohnmiami.org/sites/default/files/book/55/life-st-anthony-st-athanasius.pdf
More from 1517:
- Give to the June 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! https://donate.overflow.co/1517/cash?config=2026-podcast-network-fundraiser
- Support 1517 Podcast Network https://www.1517.org/podcast-fundraiser
- 1517 Podcasts: http://www.1517.org/podcasts
- 1517 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1517org
- 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/1517-podcast-network/id6442751370
- 1517 Events Schedule: https://www.1517.org/events
- 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education: https://academy.1517.org/
What's New from 1517:
- The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco https://shop.1517.org/collections/coming-soon/products/9781964419947-the-turk-at-the-door
- Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419985-luther-and-the-lion
- By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas https://shop.1517.org/products/9781967920013-by-water-and-the-word
- Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419961-being-family
More from the hosts:
- Donovan Riley https://www.1517.org/contributors/donavon-riley
- Christopher Gillespie https://www.1517.org/contributors/christopher-gillespie
CONTACT and FOLLOW:
- Banned Books Wiki https://bannedbooks1517.org
- Email mailto:[email protected]
- Instagram (1517)https://www.instagram.com/bannedbooks1517
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BannedBooks1517/
- Twitter https://twitter.com/bannedbooks1517
- Instagram (1517) https://www.instagram.com/1517org
- X/Twitter (1517) http://twitter.com/1517
- Facebook (1517) http://www.facebook.com/1517org
PODCAST:
- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BannedBooks
- Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-1223313
- Odysee https://odysee.com/@bannedbooks:5
- Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-books/id1370993639
- Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahA20sZMpBxg9vgiRVQba
- Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1370993639/banned-books
MORE LINKS:
- Tin Foil Haloes https://t.me/bannedpastors
- St John's Lutheran Church (Webster, MN) - FB Live Bible Study Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/356667039608511
- Donavon's Substack https://donavonlriley.substack.com
- Gillespie's Sermons and Catechesis https://outerrimterritories.com
- Gillespie Coffee https://gillespie.coffee
- Gillespie Media https://gillespie.media