Athanasius was 4th century scholar and early Church Father. This is a short but powerful and insightful passage from his work "On the Incarnation" …
When God the Almighty was making mankind through His own Word, He
perceived that they, owing to the limitation of their nature, could not of
themselves have any knowledge of their Artificer, the Incorporeal and
Uncreated. He took pity on them, therefore, and did not leave them destitute of
the knowledge of Himself, lest their very existence should prove purposeless.
For of what use is existence to the creature if it cannot know its
Maker? How could men be reasonable beings if they had no knowledge of the Word
and Reason of the Father, through Whom they had received their being? They
would be no better than the beasts, had they no knowledge save of earthly
things; and why should God have made them at all, if He had not intended them
to know Him? But, in fact, the good God has given them a share in His own
Image, that is, in our Lord Jesus Christ, and has made even themselves after
the same Image and Likeness.
Why? Simply in order that through this gift of Godlikeness in
themselves they may be able to perceive the Image Absolute, that is the Word
Himself, and through Him to apprehend the Father; which knowledge of their
Maker is for men the only really happy and blessed life.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is
given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
