By: Alexa Markl
Mrs. McDonald
Theology 1-G
12 April 2015
Christological Controversies Timeline
Council of Nicaea (Heresy: Arianism)
Council of Ephesus (Heresy: Nestorianism)
Jesus Christ is born
Jesus Christ dies
- Jesus Christ died in 33 A.D.
- He is the Son of God and died for our sins
- God the Father sent his son down to us so that we can live out our life through him
- "In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son be the atoning sacrafice for our sins" (C7 Embrace the Vision).
- He died on the cross for us and our sins
- Jesus Christ is born in 0 A.D.
- Mary the Virgin Mother gave birth to Jesus Christ
- He is named the Son of God
- "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been bethrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with the child of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 1:18).
- Nestorianism- erroneously teaches that Jesus is only a human person joined to the divine person of the Son of God
- 431 A.D.
- Proponent: Nestorius of Constantinople
- instead of the title "Theotokos", he prefers the term "Christokos"- Mary gives birth to Christ, not God
- "And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.....And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this beng I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God" (Lk 1:31-35)
- Opponent: Cyril of Alexandria
- prefers "Theotokos" over "Christokos"
- belief: "Jesus’ divinity and humanity are united within Him so closely you could say Mary gave birth to Christ or to God." (notes)
- Arianism- erroneously teaches that Jesus is not truly God and is not the same substance as the father
- 325 A.D.
- Proponent: Arius Priest in Alexandria (c.318)
- wanted to protect the "oneness of God the Father"
- afraid Christianity would become poly-theism (notes)
- claims Son of God is created by God (not as divine as the Father)
- concept: 1+1+1=3
- Opponent: Athanaisus Priest/Bishop of Alexandria
- teaches different ideas than Arius
- articulated a Christology (teaching of Christ) that supported the fully divinity of the Son of God
- concept: 1x1x1=1
- Athanaisus wins!!
- Arian problem- God has no real contact with humanity
- this council affirms Jesus' divinity
- Arius left the council with more followers than Athanaisus
- eventually people started following the church's teaching that is fully divine
- God the Son is created by God the Father
34 A.D.- 313 A.D. Christian Persecution
Council of Constantinople
Christianity becomes legal
First Martyr
- Christianity becomes legal in 313 A.D.
- This happens after the Christian Persecution from 34 A.D. to 313 A.D.
- The first martyr was in 34 A.D.
- This first martyr is the start of the Christian persecution which lasts until 313 A.D. when Christianity becomes legal
- Christians are now allowed to follow what they believe without getting killed because of their beliefs
- "Some Christians bear witness in a very dramatic way, as St. Peter and St. Paul did: they risk and gave their life to follow Jesus, as the martyrs of the Chruch did" (C4 Think it Through).
- 381 A.D.
- Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390)
- Bishop of Constantinople
- Idea: "If Jesus did not have a human soul, then our souls are not saved."
- This council affirms Jesus' full humanity
- Also finalizes the Nicene Creed
- Gregory wins!!
- "We are saved body and soul" (notes)
- Therefore, Jesus had a human soul too
Glossary
Heresy: the conscious (aware) and deliberate rejection of a dogma, official teaching, of the church
Ecumenical Council: a gathering of all catholic bishops, convened (called) by the Pope and under his authority and guidance