Arian Controversy Church Schism - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Arian Controversy

Church SchismSlide2

Controversies

Paul with Jewish and Gentile converts

Gnostics

Lapsed

Now Arianism

This is different because of Imperial interventionSlide3

Roots of Controversy

Early Christians were thought of as ignorant atheists

Some appealed to Philosophers and the Supreme Being for validation

These philosophers believed perfection was immutable and fixed

This causes problems with scriptureSlide4

Roots

When scripture says something unworthy of God such as God spoke or He walked in the garden, the words were not taken literally

This did not satisfy emotionally however

Logos doctrine also tried to reason by saying the Logos or reason of God spoke.Slide5

Arianism

Alexander, who was bishop in Alexandria, and Arius, who was a popular presbyter, have several disputes

The main issue was whether the Logos, Word of God was coeternal with God.

Arius said Jesus was a lesser god that had a different natureSlide6

Arianism

Jesus is neither eternal nor omnipotent

He was a created being-although first created and greatest

The son has a beginning but God is without beginning

This appealed to many because it closely resembles GnosticismSlide7

Arianism

To Alexander, how could Christ save if he was not God?

To Arius, that did not matter but what mattered was his obedience to GodSlide8

Arius

He made Christianity easier to understand even though incorrect

Easier to think of Christ as a divine hero

He combined an eloquent preaching style with good public relations alsoSlide9

Alexander

Called a synod in 320 and condemned Arius’ teachings

Had him excommunicated

Arius turned to Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia, and won his support

2 most important churches in the east at warSlide10

Controversy

In Alexandria, people took to the streets to chant and defend Arius.

The local disagreement started to threaten the eastern church

Constantine has just defeated

Licinius

and decided to interveneSlide11

Constantine

In 325, he called for a council in

Nicea

which was not far from

Nicodemia

Around 300 bishops in attendance and many bore the scars from persecution

But, they rode in comfort thanks to Constantine to this meetingSlide12

Council

The bishops discussed many issues as persecution ended

The approved standard of remission of the lapsed, election of presbyters, and bishops.

Decided that bishops, presbyters, and deacons could not move from one city to another but this was soon disregarded.

Main issue was ArianismSlide13

Factions

One small group fully convinced of Arius’ views

Arius was not a bishop so he was not allowed to attend the council

Small group believed Arius threatened the core of Christianity and led by Alexander

Most bishops from Latin-speaking west had a small interest in the matterSlide14

Factions

A small group of 3-4 rejected Arianism but their belief was also rejected. They believed in

patripassianism

which says the Father and Son are the same so the Father suffered the passion.

Most in attendance sought a compromiseSlide15

Eusebius

Eusebius of

Nicodemia

(Not Caesarea) said Jesus was no more than a creature and he was shouted down.

His paper was ripped from his hand and torn

The mood now changed and was against ArianismSlide16

Rejection

The rejection was first to be by scripture alone but then they settled on a creed

Eusebius of Caesarea suggested his church creed

Constantine suggested

homoousios

It means of the same substance

This was probably suggested to himSlide17

homoousios

Intended to convey the Father and Son are of the same substance

This is the main theme of the Nicene creedSlide18

Council

Very few Bishops refused to sign the creed but those who refused were declared heretical and deposed.

Constantine went further by banishing them from their cities

Secular intervention was thus introduced into ecclesiastical matters

Constantine threw a banquet to celebrateSlide19

Effects

Government involved with

church affairs