Untitled Flashcards Set

Bible

• Sacred text for christians

• All christian churches regard the bible as revealed or inspired by god

• Not all agree on how it is inspired

• Two major sections-Old and New testament

Old Testament

• Tanakh:Torah(the law), Nevi'im(the prophets), Khetuvim(the writing)

• Additional books:Apocrypha,Deuterocanonical, Anagignoskomena

• Crucial part of both Jewish and Christian religious traditions   

• Contains the history of the Israelites, their relationship with God, and the laws and teachings that guide their faith and practices

New Testament

• Consists of 27 books, including the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles (letters), and the Book of Revelation

• First four books of the New Testament are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

• Epistles that address various theological issues, provide guidance for Christian living, and offer encouragement to early Christian communities

Canon

• Rule or measuring stick

• All christians refer to their canon of sacred scripture as the bible but differ on how many books are included

• Protestant usage-66 books 39OT/27NT

• Catholic usage 73 books 46OT/27NT

Issue of inspiration

• Fundamental view:Verbal inspiration and biblical inerrancy 

• Secular view

• Middle Position

• Refers to the belief that the Scriptures are divinely inspired by God

Biblical inerrancy

• Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are completely accurate and free from error in everything they affirm

• Belief is particularly significant within evangelical Christianity, where it is often seen as foundational to the faith

• Based on the character of God, who is seen as incapable of lying or making mistakes

Secular view

• View the Scriptures as products of their historical and cultural contexts, written by various authors over centuries

• Consider parts of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, as mythological or symbolic rather than literal historical accounts

• Aim to understand the origins, development, and meaning of the biblical texts without assuming divine inspiration

Middle position 

• Seeks to balance the divine and human elements in the creation of the Scriptures

• Bible is both fully divine and fully human

• Every word of the Bible is inspired by God (verbal inspiration) and that the inspiration extends to all parts of the Bible equally

• God's of all possible outcomes allows for a coherent understanding of how divine inspiration and human free will can coexist

Number of books of the Bible (Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox)

• Protestant Bible: Contains 66 books, with 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

• Roman Catholic Bible: Contains 73 books, with 46 in the Old Testament (including the Deuterocanonical books) and 27 in the New Testament.

• Orthodox Bible: The number of books can vary slightly among different Orthodox traditions, but generally, it includes around 76 to 81 books.

Creation accounts 

• Creation is good

• YHWH is the only god and source of all creation

• Creation must be distinguished from god 

• God created the world by fiat

Stories of human sin 

• God created human beings to do what is right and perfect 

• Also endowed human beings with free will

Free will  

• Bible often emphasizes the ability of humans to make choices

• The concept of free will is closely tied to moral responsibility

• free will is also discussed in the context of salvation and following Jesus

Abraham

• Belief that YHWH is a personal god who is capable of relationships with human beings and initiates these encounters

• God made himself known to abraham in history

• All of these stories describe a promise god made to abraham 

• Expectation that abraham would respond in faith

• He will have many descendants

• God will make him a great nation all of which are blessed 

• He will be given a land for his descendants to live in

Moses

• YHWH was more powerful than egyptian and canaanite gods

• YHWH cared more about relieving earthly oppression and providing for material needs

• YHWH supported Israelites in desert places where food and water could not be found

• YHWH was a strong warrior who led Israel in battle against hostile neighbors

Ten Commandments

• Set of ethical guidelines given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Bible

• Provide a foundational moral code for both Judaism and Christianity

• Ten Commandments represent the covenant between God and the Israelites

Characteristics of Second Temple Judaism 

• Jews who returned to Palestine after the Babylonian exile set about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem 

• Temple sacrifice and obedience to the written law took on increased importance 

• Begin to see traces of jewish belief in a figure called the messiah 

Gospels

• Word gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon god-spell meaning “good tidings”

• Greek word for gospel, evangelion means good news

• Proclamations of faith concerning jesus 

• Gospels not written immediately after

• Mark c.65-70, Matthew c.80-85, Luke c.80-85, John c.90-100

• Proclamations of faith concerning Jesus 

List and be able to date four gospels 

• Mark c.65-70

• Matthew c.80-85

• Luke c.80-85

• John c.90-100

Outline of Jesus’ life

• Birth and infancy 

• Baptism in the river Jordan

• Ministry

• Arrets and handing over to roman authorities

• Crucifixion

• Resurrection 

Acts of the Apostles

• Thought to be written by the same author as Luke's gospel

• Tells story of the spread of the gospel and development of early Christian communities 

• chronicles the events following Jesus' ascension into heaven, focusing on the spread of Christianity through the work of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul

Epistles

• 13 letters attributed to the missionary Paul though only 7 were written by him

• 7 letters attributed to apostles and early church leaders

• Remaining document titled “To the Hebrews” is not a letter

• Letters found in the New Testament, written by apostles to early Christian communities and individuals

• Written as early as 45AD and as late as 95AD

Revelation c.90-100

• Apocalyptic account of a divine revelation

• Apocalypse consist of collects of symbolic visions and auditions images and words delivered by an angel or other heavenly being to a human recipient 

• Attributed to John the Apostle, who wrote it while in exile on the island of Patmos

• Final book of the New Testament and contains apocalyptic visions and prophecies about the end times and the second coming of Christ

Apocalypse 

• Refers to the revelation or unveiling of divine mysteries, particularly concerning the end times

• Most well-known apocalyptic text in the Bible is the Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse of John

• Some view them as predictions of future events, others see them as symbolic representations of ongoing spiritual realities, and some interpret them as addressing the historical context of their original audience

Paul

• Most prolific of the first generation of christian missionaries

• Born as Saul of Tarsus into a jewish family

• Conversion on the road to Damascus 

• Embarked on several missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the message of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles

• Credited with writing 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament

Key themes in his writings

• Justification by faith (cf.letter to the galatians and romans)

• Sacrificial atonement

• Life in Christ: Freedom and love, activity of the holy spirit, church as the body of christ, baptism and eucharist 

Separation from Judaism

• Jesus and his earliest followers were Jews, and they initially preached to Jewish communities

• The destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70 was a significant turning point, as it disrupted Jewish religious life and led to the development of Rabbinic Judaism

• Council of Jerusalem (around AD 50) decided that Gentile converts to Christianity did not need to follow all Jewish laws, which further distinguished the two groups

• Over time, theological differences between the two faiths became more pronounced

Irenaeus of Lyon

• Apostolic tradition-fourfold elements of catholic christianity 

• Played a crucial role in the development of early Christian theology

• Adversus Haereses emphasized the importance of apostolic tradition and the authority of the Scriptures

• Canon, Creed, Episcopate, Liturgy 

Creation of the canon

• When early christians spoke of “scripture” they generally meant hebrew scriptures, usually in the greek version known as septuagint

• Was customary to read passages from one or several gospels as well as from the epistles-particularly pauls

• Gradual consensus emerged about what to include 

Distinctive theological doctrines

• Incarnation

• Trinity

Incarnation

• Jesus is the eternal son of God (Logos) who took human flesh by being born by Mary, his mother 

• Jesus Christ is fully god and fully man

• Disagreement on precisely how he was both human and divine

Trinity 

• God exist as three distinct “persons”-the father, son, and holy spirit

• 4th century church would formally define the trinity as three persons sharing one divine nature

• God is defined as being one “substance” a community of knowing and loving song three “persons”, father unbegotten, son begotten, and holy spirit (proceeding from the father through the son)

“Apostle’s Creed” 

• Short summaries of belief which originated as baptismal instructions

• Reflected trinitarian focus

• Basic text was put together c.150 probably in rome

• Designed as a means whereby christians could distinguish true believers from those who followed the various heresies circulating at the time

• Council of Nicea (325)

• Council of constantinople (381)

Council of Constantinople, 381

• The council expanded and reaffirmed the Nicene Creed, which had been established at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD

• Declared the equality of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son, solidifying the Trinitarian doctrine that is central to Christian theology

• addressed and condemned several heresies, including Arianism, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, as well as Pneumatomachians and Apollinarianism

Mikveh  

• Jewish ritual bath used for the purpose of achieving ritual purity

• Must contain a specific amount of natural water, such as rainwater, to be considered kosher

• Also used by men before Shabbat and Yom Kippur, by brides and grooms before their wedding, and for other significant life events and spiritual milestones

• Symbolizes spiritual cleansing and renewal

Al Maghtas

• Archaeological and religious site located on the east bank of the Jordan River in Jordan

• Location where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist

• Major pilgrimage destination for Christians

• It is believed to be the place where Jesus began his ministry and gathered his first disciples

Apostolic succession

• Belief that the authority and mission given by Jesus to the apostles have been passed down through an unbroken line of bishops

• Process of ordination is central to apostolic succession

• Seen as a means of maintaining doctrinal integrity and unity within the Church

• Bishops play a crucial role in administering sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confirmation, and in governing the Church

Liturgy

• Liturgy comes from greek word leitourgia which originally referred to any work done for the people, a service done for the common welfare

• Refers to the set forms of public worship and rituals conducted by religious communities, particularly within Christianity

• Christian worship developed more and more into a religious service done by the bishop and his assistants for the congregation 

• Came to be referred to as liturgy 

Dura-Europos 

• The house church at Dura-Europos, dating to the mid-3rd century, is one of the oldest known dedicated spaces for Christian worship

• State of the house church offers a unique glimpse into the architectural and communal aspects of early Christian gatherings

• findings at Dura-Europos have significantly contributed to our understanding of early Christian communities and their practices before Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire

Basilica architectural form

• Basilicas were large public buildings in ancient Rome used for various civic purposes, such as markets, courthouses, and meeting halls

• When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, these structures were adapted for Christian worship

• As basilicas were adapted for Christian use, they incorporated Christian iconography and symbolism, such as mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical scenes and saints

Structure of early Christian liturgies

• Gathering and Opening Prayers

• Scripture Readings

• Psalms and Hymns

• Eucharist

• Prayers of Intercession

• Dismissal and Blessing

Two-fold aspect of early Christian liturgies  

• Refers to the division of the worship service into two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Liturgy of the Word:

• Scripture Readings

• Psalms and Hymns

• Prayers of the Faithful

• Liturgy of the Eucharist:

• Preparation of the Gifts

• Eucharistic Prayer

• Communion

Pliny the Younger

• Prominent Roman lawyer, author, and magistrate born around 61 AD

• Best known for his extensive collection of letters, which provide valuable insights into Roman administrative practices, social life, and historical events

• Wrote a significant letter to Emperor Trajan around 112 AD seeking guidance on how to handle the early Christian community

• Described how he conducted trials of suspected Christians who were brought before him

• Emperor Trajan advised Pliny not to actively seek out Christians but to punish them if they were brought before him and found guilty

Ignatius of Antioch

• Early Christian writer and bishop of Antioch, who lived around the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD

• Best known for his letters, which provide valuable insights into early Christian theology, ecclesiology, and the role of bishops

• Letters address important topics such as the unity of the Church, the role of bishops, the Eucharist, and the nature of Christ

• Emphasized the importance of the hierarchical structure of the Church, with a strong focus on the authority of bishops

Irenaeus of Lyon

• Becomes priest at church of lyon

• Studied gnostics so he could call them heretics

• Valentianian gnosticism was flawed and heresy

• Material as god's creation was good

• Gnostic teaching unsupported by apostles

Didache

• Early Christian text that provides ethical and liturgical instructions for the Christian community

• The lord's teaching through the twelve apostles 

• Provides instructions on Christian rituals such as baptism and the Eucharist

• Offers guidance on church leadership and community organization

• Includes practical advice on fasting, prayer, and hospitality

Justin Martyr

• Early Christian apologist and philosopher, known for his efforts to defend and explain Christianity to both pagans and the Roman authorities

• Initially a pagan who studied various philosophical schools, including Stoicism, Platonism, and Pythagoreanism

• Most significant works include the First Apology, Second Apology, and Dialogue with Trypho.

• Argued that the Logos, or divine reason, was present in all people and that the truths found in Greek philosophy were partial revelations of the ultimate truth found in Christ

Hippolytus

• Known for his extensive theological works and his role in the early Church, although his exact identity and community of origin remain somewhat elusive

• Best known for his work Philosophumena also known as "Refutation of All Heresies which critiques various heresies and philosophical schools of his time

• Considered the first antipope due to his opposition to the Roman bishops of his time, particularly Pope Zephyrinus and Pope Callixtus I

• Accused them of heresy and laxity in church discipline but eventually reconciled with the Church before his martyrdom

Origen of Alexandria

• Born in egypt and almost martyred as a teen

• Teacher at the church of Alexandria 

• Popularized the use of homily

• Three ways to interpret the bible-Allegorical, literal, and moral

• First systematic theology in his books on first principles 

• Doctrinal innovations

Tertullian 

• Father of Latin theology

• Argumentative against heretical ideas

• First church leader to utilize latin in church 

• Transferred from pagan to christian

• Excommunicated or left mainstream church 

• Christians are made not born

• Literary defender of christian practices and beliefs 

• Adversus Iudaeos-Anti jewish

• Apologeticsus- defends christians, freedom of religion, and fair christians,

• Against praxus- first recorded use of trinity

• On the dress of woman 

• De spectaculis, de idolatria-critiques woman's appearance

• Revolutionary christian, freedom of religion, latin works, important church leader, self driven christianity 

Cyprian of Carthage

• Prominent early Christian bishop and theologian, known for his leadership during times of persecution and his influential writings on church unity and discipline

• Writings including On the Unity of the Church and On the Lapsed addressed issues of church discipline, the role of bishops, and the reconciliation of Christians who had renounced their faith under persecution

• Emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within the Church and the authority of the bishops.

• Disputes over the validity of baptisms performed by heretics and the proper handling of Christians who had lapsed during persecution

Diocletian’s reorganization of the Roman Empire

• Reorganization of the empire known as the Tetrarchy divided the empire into four regions each ruled by an emperor

• Most notable aspects of Diocletian's reign was the Great Persecution of Christians which began in 303 AD

• The persecution also highlighted the growing presence and influence of Christianity within the empire, as the faith continued to spread despite the efforts to eradicate it

• Persecution tested the faith and resilience of Christians, leading to the martyrdom of many and the strengthening of the Church's resolve

Controversy over Christians in the military

• Disagreement regarding the military service of christians-some refuse to join and others leave 

• Galerius believed christians should be expelled from legions

• Diocletian edict-no further penalty besides expulsion

• Overzealous officers 

Galerius’ disposition toward Christians

• Convinced diocletian to issue new edicts against christians in 303

• Purpose not to kill christians but remove from positions of responsibility 

• Destruction pf christian books and buildings

• Those who refused were tortured and killed

Substance of decrees related to Christians

• Disturbances in some areas convinced that Christians were conspiring against him 

• Decreed leaders of the church be arrested 

• All christians must offer sacrifice to the gods

Emergence of Constantine as “augustus”

• Popular in roman legions

• Hostage in galerius’ court;escaped

• Biding time in a period of political chaos 

• Persecution continued

• Issued the edict of Toleration

Edict of Toleration

• Refers to the Edict of Serdica issued in 311 AD by Emperor Galerius

• Issued during the Tetrarchy and marked the end of the Diocletianic Persecution, the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire

• Granted Christians the right to practice their religion openly without fear of persecution and to rebuild their places of worship and recover confiscated properties

Division of the Empire after Galerius’ death

• Licinius, Maximinus Daia, Constantine, Maxentius 

• Maxentius declared to be vesper by the others 

• Persecution continued only in the territories ruled by Maximinus Daia 

Battle of Milvian Bridge

• Vision/dream-”by this, conquer”

• Constantine ordered his soldiers to place the Chi-Rho symbol on shields 

• Constantine's conversion was a long process 

• Maxentius lost the battle

Chi-Rho symbol

• Symbol is one of the earliest forms of christogram, and it is used by Christians as a symbol of Jesus Christ

• First two letters of the Greek word meaning Christ

• Represents Christ and is a symbol of faith and protection

Edict of Milan

• Usually cited as marking the end of the persecution

• Issued in 313 AD by Roman Emperors Constantine I and Licinius, was a landmark decree that granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire 

• Specifically legalized Christianity, ending years of persecution and ordered the restitution of confiscated Christian properties.

• Laid the foundation for Christianity's growth and eventual dominance in the Roman Empire

Nature of Constantine’s rule 

• Period of rebuilding and prosperity

• Building of a new rome-Constantinople

• Enacted laws favoring christianity  

Impact of Constantine

• End of persecution

• Development of official theology

• Withdrawal to monastic life

• Schism

• Intellectual activity 

• Worship influenced by imperial protocol

• Churches built where martyrs were buried;relics 

Reasons why the changed situation of the Church was not welcomed by all

• Large numbers entering the church without caring to delve too deeply into the meaning of christian baptism

• Bishops competing for prestigious positions

• Rich and [powerful dominating the life of the church 

Origins of monasticism

• Paul->Those who chose not to marry had greater freedom to serve the lord

• Impulse toward celibacy strengthened by the expectation of the return of the lord 

• Several schools of classical philosophy: body was the prison or the sepulcher of the soul, could not be truly free as long as it did not overcome limitations of the human body

• Religious traditions in the mediterranean basin included sacred virgins, etc., etc. 

Internal influences 

• Desire for Spiritual Purity

• Influence of Jesus' Teachings

• Philosophical Influences

• Community and Solitude

External influences

• Jewish Ascetic Traditions

• Pagan Philosophies

• Gnostic Influences

• Roman Social and Political Context

Meaning of word “monk”

• Monk derives from the greek monachos, which means solitude 

• Early monks searched for solitude

• Desert was attractive to monks for its inaccessibility 

Meaning of word “anchorite”

• Anchorite meant withdrawn but soon came to mean a solitary monk 

• Term comes from the Greek word "anachōrētēs," meaning "one who withdraws"

• Anchorites typically live in seclusion, often in a small cell attached to a church

Why was the desert so attractive?

• Isolation and Solitude

• Biblical Inspiration

• Ascetic Lifestyle

• Escape from Persecution

Paul and Anthony

• Impossible to tell who the first monk of the desert was-tradition suggest it was Paul and Anthony 

• Monasticism was not the invention of an individual 

• Mass exodus, a contagion, seems to have suddenly affected thousands

• Paul and Anthony went to the desert before Constantine 

Describe the life of a desert hermit

• Some planted gardens  

• Most earned money by weaving baskets and mats to trade for bread and oil

• Belongings limited to necessary clothing and mat to sleep on

• Most frowned on books, taught each other the bible by heart 

• Diet was mainly bread 

Meaning of word “cenobitic”

• Refers to a form of monasticism where monks live together in a community, as opposed to living in solitude like hermits or anchorites

• Cenobitic monks live, work, and worship together under a common rule and leadership, often an abbot or abbess

• Cenobitic communities typically follow a specific set of guidelines or a rule

• Cenobitic monasticism often involves a balanced routine of prayer, meditation, and manual labor

Transition to communal monasticism

• Growing number of people withdrawing to the desert and seeking guidance from an experienced teacher

• Solitary monasticism gave way to a communal form of monastic life

• Cenobitic monasticism->name derived from two greek words meaning communal life 

Pachomius

• Considered first organizer of this form of life 

• First attempt failed 

• Second attempt more demanding

• Must give up all goods, promise absolute obedience to superiors, all would work with their hands, mutual service 

Pachomius’s requirements for monks

• Monks were required to live together in a community, sharing all possessions and resources

• Monks had to obey their superiors, particularly the abbot, who was seen as the Spiritual leader of the community

• daily routine was structured around periods of manual labor and prayer

• Monks were expected to practice asceticism, which included fasting, celibacy, and other forms of self-denial

Describe the layout of Pachomian monasteries

• Encircled by a wall with a single entrance 

• Within the enclosure-several buildings for common use

• Living quarters in which monks were grouped according to their responsibilities 

Describe life in a Pachomian monastery

• Work and devotion

• Pray without ceasing-prayers said while working 

• Common prayers twice a day 

• Not the exaggerated poverty of anchorites 

• bread , fruit, vegetables, and fish, not meat

• Sold goods at nearby markets in ordre to buy food and necessary items, also to have something to give to the poor

• Administrator and aide-periodic accounts sent to main monastery where Pachomius lived 

Procedure for admission to a Pachomian monastery

• Hierarchical order clearly defined

• Superior of each monastery, abbots or archimandrites, abbot named his successor

• Twice a year all pachomian monks gather for prayer to deal with issues within communities 

• No ordained priest, visit churches or a priest would visit 

• Simply appear at the gate of the enclosure 

• Candidates forced to spend several days and nights at the gate begging to be let in 

• Once admitted gatekeepers took charge of the candidates for long periods of time until they were considered ready to join community in prayer

• Presented to assembly of the monsters, given special spot until a place was found for theme in a house and role assigned to them

• Many of the candidates not christian

• Enormous attraction of monastic life even to pagans 

Martin of Tours

• Became a christian against parents will

• Encounters a beggar when entering the city of Amiens, has no money but gives beggar half his cape

• Baptized and able to leave the army, settled in tours and devoted to monastic life

• Reputation for sanctity

• Bishop of Tours 

• Maintained a cell next to the cathedral 

• Monasticism in the west- instrument for the charitable and missionary work of the church 

Caecilian

• Bishop of carthage

• Caecilian was elected-not popular with rigorist party

• Majorinus was elected as rival but died shortly after 

• Donatus of Casae Nigrae elected by rigorist pary to replace Majorinus

• Constantine favors caecilian 

Arguments concerning the validity of sacraments

• Hinges on three essential elements: matter, form, and intention

• Matter: This refers to the physical element or action used in the sacrament such as water in Baptism or bread and wine in the Eucharist

• Form: This encompasses the specific words or formula prescribed by the Church during Baptism

• Intention: The minister administering the sacrament must have the intention to do what the Church does

Donatus

• Donatists asserted that one of the three bishops who consecrated caecilian was a traditor and consecration invalid 

• Bishop was not a traditor 

• Action in the concentration caecilian was valid 

• Caecilian and followers argued the validity of the sacraments and other such acts can't depend on worthiness of one administering them 

• Donatists claimed that other bishops who joined in consecration sinned by doing so 

Arguments of the Donatists concerning the validity of sacraments

• Moral Purity of Clergy: The Donatists argued that the validity of sacraments depended on the moral purity and faithfulness of the clergy administering them

• Rigorist Stance: They maintained a rigorist stance, insisting that the Church must be a community of saints rather than sinners

• Rejection of Traditores: The Donatists refused to accept the sacraments and spiritual authority of priests and bishops who were traditores

• Schism and Self-Identification: The Donatists saw themselves as the true Church, maintaining the purity and integrity of Christian practice

Other factors in the Donatist Schism

• Separation along social and geographical lines

• Carthage and immediate surroundings ->caecilian and followers 

• More romanized area 

• Lower classes converted long before constantine 

• Numidia and Mauritania->Donatists 

• Agricultural areas 

• Less romanized and saw rom as an oppressive force

• Christianity made significant inroads prior to constantine  

Circumcellions

• Appeared around 340

• Numidian and Mauritania Donatists peasants who resorted to violence

• Fanaticism 

• No death more glorious than those of martyrs 

• Civil disorder brought trade to a standstill

• Roman authorities intervened to no avail 

Arius

• Popular presbyter in Alexandria

• Clashed with bishop of alexandria, alexander 

• Main issue at stake was whether the word of god was coeternal with god

• Alexander thought word existed eternally with the father 

• Arius thought word was not coeternal 

• Both agreed that the word existed before incarnation 

Arian controversy

• Significant theological dispute in early Christianity that centered on the nature of Jesus Christ and his relationship to God the Father

• The controversy began in the early 4th century with Arius, a priest from Alexandria, who argued that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was not co-eternal with God the Father

• Arius's views were opposed by many, most notably Athanasius of Alexandria, who argued that the Son was of the same substance as the Father and co-eternal with Him

• To address the controversy, Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea. The council condemned Arianism and formulated the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father

• The controversy was largely resolved by the end of the 4th century, particularly with the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD which reaffirmed the Nicene Creed and further clarified the doctrine of the Trinity

Origins

• Predates constantine 

• Direct result of how christians came to think of the nature of god

• First christians taken for ignorant atheist-no visible gods

• Appeal to classical philosophers->Above cosmos there was a supreme being

• Two means of bringing together what bible says about god and classical notion of supreme being

• Allegorical interpretation-> Words not taken literal, emotionally unsatisfactory

• Logos->Supreme being, is impassible, capable of relation with people

Logos

• When the bible says god spoke to moses, it means the logos of god spoke to himInflence of origen and others-eastern part of the church 

• Generally accepted view was that, between the immutable one and the mutable word, there was the word or logos of god 

Debate between Arius and Alexander

• Arius

• Before anything else, word created by god

• If asked to draw line between god and creation, lion includes word in creation 

• Argued that Alexander proposed a denial of monotheism 

• Alexander

• Word was divine, could not be created but coeternal with god

• If asked to draw line, separate all creation one side and father and word on the other side

• Arius’s position denied the divinity of the word and jesus 

Hosius of Cordova

• Condtanintes advisor in ecclesiastical matters 

• Hosius unable to resolve the rift 

• Constantine calls a council of christians from all over the empire

Council of Nicaea

• Presided over by constantine who was not baptized 

• Around 300 bishops who were mainly from the east 

• Discussed many legislative matters that had to be resolved at the end of persecution

• Arian controversies 

Decisions

• The council condemned the teachings of Arius, who argued that Jesus Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father

• The council formulated the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith that affirmed the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father

• The council established a uniform date for the celebration of Easter, separate from the Jewish Passover

• The council issued 20 canons addressing various aspects of church administration and discipline