Ancient Church History Part 15
Part of Ancient Church History—5:BC-AD 590
December 7, 2022
BETWEEN 313 AND 451 theological controversies resulted in councils attempting to resolve the issues by formulating creeds.
The Relationship of the Son to the Father in Eternity
Arius (ca. 250–336)
Alexander (Bishop of Alexandria)
Could Christ save man if He were a demigod, less than true God, and of a similar or different essence from the Father as Eusebius and Arius respectively asserted?
Council of Nicaea 325
Arius View - Christ had not existed from all eternity but had a beginning by the creative act of God. Christ was of a different (heteros) essence or substance from the Father.
Athanasius (296-373)- Christ had existed from all eternity with the Father and was of the same essence (homoousios) as the Father, though He was a distinct personality.
Eusebius of Caesarea - Christ was not created out of nothing as Arius had insisted but that He was begotten of the Father before time in eternity. Christ was of a like (homoi) or similar essence to the Father.
Gregory of Nyassa (ca. 330–ca. 394)
Gregory of Nazianzus (ca. 330–390)
The Relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Father
Macedonius, bishop of Constantinople between 341 and 360taught that the Holy Spirit was “a minister and a servant” on a level with the angels and that the Holy Spirit was a creature subordinate to the Father and the Son.
Council of Toledo in 589