Excellent article/summary. But the best part of course is this line: “the Eusebii thought they could win Constantine and the council over.” You always have to be careful when the Eusebii get together.
Thanks for walking us through the follow-up to Nicaea! I'm probably not alone in puzzling over the heated intensity of these controversies—perhaps because, in this secular age, these debates may seem, as a society, far less urgent and intense than they were back then.
Is there a current controversy that you think is comparable to this, in the sense that it rages passionately but appears to be of "futile irrelevance" to those in power? Perhaps Paul Washer's "Narrow Gate, Narrow Way" and the accompanying denunciations of other Christians as not being Christian enough (e.g., the American Gospel documentary) could be seen in a similar light. You can probably come up with better examples.
This post was of particular interest to me because of Brant J. Pitre's thorough and insightful work in "Jesus and Divine Christology," which we are reading a chapter at a time over at Engaging Scripture. I appreciate you offering another perspective on these conversations about Christ's nature, as it has enriched my understanding of the topic.
For Michael -
Good summary (though next part should be equally good). Have you heard of an alternative Trinitarian Theology called Transcendent Monotheism?
Chris, never heard of them, and not sure I want to! Old heresy, new dress.
Love how you summarize the historical like this. Thanks!
Thanks for this.
Excellent article/summary. But the best part of course is this line: “the Eusebii thought they could win Constantine and the council over.” You always have to be careful when the Eusebii get together.
Thanks for walking us through the follow-up to Nicaea! I'm probably not alone in puzzling over the heated intensity of these controversies—perhaps because, in this secular age, these debates may seem, as a society, far less urgent and intense than they were back then.
Is there a current controversy that you think is comparable to this, in the sense that it rages passionately but appears to be of "futile irrelevance" to those in power? Perhaps Paul Washer's "Narrow Gate, Narrow Way" and the accompanying denunciations of other Christians as not being Christian enough (e.g., the American Gospel documentary) could be seen in a similar light. You can probably come up with better examples.
This post was of particular interest to me because of Brant J. Pitre's thorough and insightful work in "Jesus and Divine Christology," which we are reading a chapter at a time over at Engaging Scripture. I appreciate you offering another perspective on these conversations about Christ's nature, as it has enriched my understanding of the topic.