495 Early Church History 13: Trinity Controversy in the Fourth Century

This is part 13 of the Early Church History class.

Between the year 325 and 381 titanic shifts occurred that changed Christianity forever. Rather than ending conflict and ushering in a golden era of lasting peace, Constantine's Council of Nicea ignited a theological civil war within Christianity that raged for six more decades. In today's episode you'll learn about the struggle over Christology that eventually ended with the emperor Theodosius endorsing the trinitarian creed of Constantinople in 381. Rather than sugarcoating this tumultuous period, my hope is to relentlessly tell the truth in hopes that you can draw your own conclusions.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZXXcufcuis

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—— Notes ——

325 Council of Nicaea

• Constantine invited many bishops to his lake summer palace at Nicaea.
• Between 250 and 300 bishops attended, but only 5 from the West.
• Constantine suggested adding the word homoousios to the creed that Eusebius of Caesarea presented.
• The Creed of Nicaea declares the Son to be “begotten of the Father…that is, from the essence (ousia) of the Father…begotten not made, one in essence (homoousia) with the Father”.

Decades of Controversy

• The Council of Nicaea did not pacify the controversy but instead fueled it.
• Everyday people were informed and argued about the various positions in the streets, baths, and marketplaces.

Three Main Parties

• Homoousions (Athanasius)
• Anomoeans (Eunomius)
• Homoians (Acacius)

Athanasius of Alexandria (296-373)

• 326 - Became bishop of Alexandria
• Took up mantle of Alexander and fought tirelessly for the eternal Son position and homoousios
• Repeatedly deposed and exiled from Alexandria
• Spent at least 15 years in exile of his 45 year bishopric
• Used violent speech and physical violence to defeat his enemies

Anomoeans

• Believed the Son was not like the Father
• Most famous representative was Eunomius.
• Strong subordinationists
• 357 - Second Creed of Sirmium

Homoians

• Believed the Son was like the Father but not the same substance
• Constantinople was a homoian stronghold for decades prior to 381.