The Nicene Creed of 325
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father [the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God], Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance (ὁμοούσιον) with the Father; by whom all things were made [both in heaven and on earth]; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; he suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
And in the Holy Ghost.
{But those who say: 'There was a time when he was not;' and 'He was not before he was made;' and 'He was made out of nothing,' or 'He is of another substance' or 'essence,' or 'The Son of God is created,' or 'changeable,' or 'alterable'—they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.]

Recommended for Further Reading:

Bettenson, Henry Scowcroft, and Chris Maunder, eds. Documents of the Christian Church. 3rd ed., new ed. / edited by Chris Maunder. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. Rev. ed. Penguin History of the Church 1. London: Penguin, 1993.

Davidson, Ivor J. A Public Faith: From Constantine to the Medieval World, A.D. 312-600. The Monarch History of the Church, v. 2. Oxford ; Grand Rapids, Mich: Monarch Books, 2005.

Houghton, S. M. Sketches from Church History. Edinburgh ; Carlisle, Pa: Banner of Truth Trust, 1980.

Reeves, Michael. The Breeze of the Centuries : Introducing Great Theologians : From the Apostolic Fathers to Aquinas / Michael Reeves. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2010.

Wilken, Robert Louis. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.

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Capitol Hill Baptist Church Church History – Class 3 CORE SEMINARS

Constantine, Controversy, and Councils – AD312-500

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” II Timothy 1:13-14

I.INTRODUCTION – THE PROBLEM OF ERROR, AND AUTHORITY

II. CONSTANTINE AND IMPERIAL CHRISTIANITY

  1. Constantine’s “vision” and victory (AD312)
  1. The Edict of Milan (AD313) and toleration for Christianity
  1. Constantine’s mixed legacy for the Church

III.THREE OTHER FATHERS

  1. Ambrose of Milan (AD339-97)
  1. Jerome (AD345-420)
  1. Augustine of Hippo (AD354-430)

IV.FOUR QUESTIONS, AND FOUR COUNCILS

In the midst of this political change, the church faced renewed questions of orthodox doctrine. These can be summarized in four questions, addressed in turn by four councils:

1.Is Christ divine?

2.Is Christ human?

3. If yes to both, how are the two elements combined?

4. What language or terms do we use to describe Him?

1. The Council of Nicaea (325): Is Christ Divine?

a)Arianism – Christ not fully God

b)Alexander and Athanasius disagree

c)Constantine calls the Council

d)Athanasius’ 3 grounds of defense

  1. Scripture
  1. Logic of Salvation
  1. The “people”

2. The Council of Constantinople (381): Is Christ Human?

a) Challenges to Nicaea

a)Constantinople’s answer

b)Church and State

3. The Council of Ephesus (431) (or, a Tale of Two Cities): How

are the two elements combined?

a)Antioch, and Nestorius

b)Alexandria, and Cyril

c)Theodosius intervenes

4. The Council of Chalcedon (451): How to describe the nature of Christ?

  1. Eutyches: the “mixed” Christ
  1. Leo, Bishop of Rome
  1. The Chalcedon resolution