Early Christian Identity Construction

"Identity construction" is one of the important topics in history research.The establishment and construction of the identity of early Christians is of great significance to the history of later Christianity.The article chooses Athanasius,the Christian father in the4 th century,as a case study.In the past,scholars at home and abroad mainly paid attention to Athanasius’ s life and theological thoughts,and the article paid more attention to the theme of "identity construction" of Christians,in order to promote and improve the research on the theme of "identity construction".With historical materialism as the ideological guide,social constructivism as the epistemology basis,based on Athanasius’ works and related documents,this paper discusses how Athanasius constructs himself and the Christian identity he represents,and how to construct the image of the heresy and paganism he faces,so as to show his Christian world view and sense of mission.In the 4th century,Roman society was unstable and changed frequently,and the internal doctrinal environment of Christianity was also very complicated and conflicting.In this case,Christians were deeply involved in political struggles and doctrinational disputes.Athanasius,an important figure in Christianity in the 4th century,played a central role in promoting the construction and shaping of Christian identity and promoting the historical development of the Christian Church during this transitional period.Athanasius was born in 298 AD in the historic city of Alexandria,the birthplace and center of Christian culture.He was educated and baptized by the Bishop of Alexandria since childhood,and his thoughts were deeply influenced by the teachings of Alexandria in Egypt.Later,he succeeded the Bishop of Alexandria,and he was a Christian who faithfully guarded and inherited orthodox beliefs,thus showing the ideological background and cultural inheritance of his Christian identity construction.Athanasius’ s life was filled with battles with Roman emperors,heretics and Christian heresies,in which he both constructed and strengthened his identity as a "true" Christian and,through his discourse and writings,portrayed and criticized the errors and evils of the "other." Athanasius believed that Christians should either submit to the authority of the emperor or be faithful to the truth of Christ;Either idolatrous pagans or Christ;Either the Arian view that the Son is a creation,or the Nicene view that the Father and the Son are homogeneous.Such a way of thinking of binary opposition reflects Athanasius’ understanding and construction of Christian identity.Athanasius’ understanding and ideas about himself and the "real" Christian identity not only enriched the connotation of Christian identity,but also laid the foundation of orthodox Christian theology and promoted the spread and development of Christianity.His uncompromising attitude has been hailed by church historians as "a great Christian","man against the world".