The Creed part I Trinitarian Theology and Christology
- Slides: 8
The Creed: part I Trinitarian Theology and Christology ©All rights reserved Dr. George P. Bithos
The climate in which the emergence of the Creed: (The Symbol of Faith) Occurred l Prior to Constantine the Great l The Church grew and spread to all the corners of the Roman World. l Great centres of the Church began to be established. l There were intermittent periods of peace or persecution. l Great Persecutions at the beginning of the Fourth Century under Diocletian (284 – 305) produced an age of Martyrs.
Changes brought about by Constantine the Great l Constantine was declared Emperor. Starting in Britain, fighting across Italy and used “XP” to rally his troops. He won the decisive battle at the Milvian Bridge. l Edict of Milan 313 A. D. allowed Freedom of Religion for Christians. l Two heresies that arose at this time were Donatism and Arianism.
l Donatism was a power struggle in the North African Church. Resulted in DIRECT intervention of the Emperor. This set a precedent for the Church to appeal to the Emperor to settle ecclesiastical disputes. l Arianism – Teaching of a priest of the Alexandrian Church, Arius. He did not believe the Son was co-equal to the Father, i. e. “The Son was created and inferior to God the Father. ”
Arian Teachings l The Divine Logos, the Word of God, who became man – Jesus Christ is not the divine Son of God l He was merely a creature like everything else created out of nothing by God. l Therefore, God is not the uncreated Trinity. l Jesus is not the uncreated divine Son of God and the Holy Spirit is also created by God the Father.
All Seven Great Councils of the Church Dealt with two questions and their derivatives.
Who is Christ?
What is the Nature of the Holy Trinity?
