The Arian controversy and the Council of Nicea

The Arian controversy and the Council of Nicea

 

 

* "the beginning of this process may be seen already in the Arian controversy, which began as a local (Alexandria) conflict between a bishop (Alexander) and a priest (Arius), grew to the point that constantine felt obligated to intervene, and resulted in political maneuvering by which each party sought to destroy the other." (159)

 

* "The main issue at stake was whether the Word of God was coeternal with God." An Arian motto, "there was when He was not" aptly focuses on the point at issue. Alexander held that the Word existed eternally with the Father; Arius argued that the Word was not coeternal with the Father. On the preexistence of the Word, all were in agreement. What Arius said was that, before anything else was made, the Word had been created by God." Arius argued about the Christian monotheism; and Alexander argues the divinity of Jesus. (161)

 

# homoousios (of the same substance) vs homoiousios (of the similar substance)

 

* Alexander, with his authority, condemned Arius and expelled him from the church of Alexandria, but Arius did not accept, and appealed his position to many other prominent leaders. The conflict became worse. When Constantine was reported, and called the council of Christian bishops from all parts of the empire. It was 323 when the bishops (about 300, mostly from the East) gathered in Nicea, which later would be known as the first ecumenical council. (162)

 

* A small number of Arians (led by Eusebius of Nicomedia) vs a small number of Alexander's "The vast majority of those who present did not belong to any of these groups."

After the explanation of Eusebius, most bishops blamed him. "It was then decided to agree on a creed that would express the faith of the church in such a way that Arianism was clearly excluded." (164-5) Constantine sent Arius in exile.

 

 

* "The Nicean Creed," which is the most universally accepted Christian creed, declared.

(See the statements in page 165) # The Apostles' Creed

 

* Yet, the Council of Nicea did not end the controversy (It was just the beginning)

"Eusebius was an able politician," and once again appealed to Constantine. Eventually, constantine restored Arius in 328. In the same year, Alexander died, the torch was succeeded to his secretary, Athanasius, "who would now become the champion of the Nicean cause."