Council of Nicaea

Line 2:

The '''Council of Nicaea''' is a world ecumenical council<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/council-Christianity Council], ''Britannica''</ref> held in [https://www.google.com/maps/place/%ED%84%B0%ED%82%A4+%EB%B6%80%EB%A3%A8%EC%82%AC+%EC%9D%B4%EC%A6%88%EB%8B%88%ED%81%AC+%EB%8B%88%EC%B9%B4%EC%9D%B4%EC%95%84/@40.4304772,29.6972329,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x14cb0bc05d7864f5:0x17b677c58432bec8!8m2!3d40.429524!4d29.719743 Nicaea (now Iznik in Türkiye)], Asia Minor. The Council of Nicaea was held twice in 325 and 787. The first council was convened by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine I]] (Latin: Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, reigned 306–337), which was the first synod of the Roman Catholic Church. The main agendas were the [[The Paschal Controversy (The Passover Controversy)|Paschal controversy]] and the [[Arianism|Arian controversy]]. In 787, Empress Irene of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) convened the second council and approved the veneration of [https://www.britannica.com/topic/icon-religious-art icons]. In general, the Council of Nicaea refers to the first council, which has great significance in history.

The ~~Ecumenical Councils, also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held.~~ Ecumenical Council (Latin: Concilium Ecumenicum), also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held.

The Ecumenical Council (Latin: Concilium Ecumenicum), also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held.

The First Council of Nicaea (325), the First [https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Council-of-Constantinople-381 Council of Constantinople] (381), the [https://www.britannica.com/event/councils-of-Ephesus Council of Ephesus] (431), the [https://www.britannica.com/event/Council-of-Chalcedon Council of Chalcedon] (451), the Second Council of Constantinople (553), the Third Council of Constantinople (680), and the Second Council of Nicaea (787). Coincidentally, the first and the last of the seven great councils of the world were held in Nicaea.

Line 8:

==Background==

[[File:Nikea-arius.png|thumb|''Icon'' from the Mégalo Metéoron ''Monastery'' in Greece, ''representing the First'' Ecumenical ''Council of Nicaea'' in 325]]

The First Council of Nicaea took place in May 325 at the palace of the Roman Emperor for approximately two months. It convened to address the Arian controversy, which was a problem of the world church, and the Paschal controversy, which was a long-standing dispute between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. Additionally, the council established laws regarding church structure, the role of priests, the readmission of apostates, and protocols for open penitence. Notably, the Council of Nicaea was distinctive in that it was convened not by church bishops but by Emperor Constantine I. Furthermore, the Imperial household covered the expenses for the bishops’ stay in Nicaea.<ref name=":0">The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Nicaea, Young Richard Kim, ''Cambridge University Press'', 2021, pg.77</ref>

The First Council of Nicaea took place in May 325 at the palace of the Roman Emperor for approximately two months. It was convened to address the Arian controversy, which was a problem of the world church, and the Paschal controversy, which was a long-standing dispute between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. Additionally, the council established laws regarding church structure, the role of priests, the readmission of apostates, and protocols for open penitence. Notably, the Council of Nicaea was distinctive in that it was convened not by church bishops but by Emperor Constantine I. Furthermore, the Imperial household covered the expenses for the bishops’ stay in Nicaea.<ref name=":0">The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Nicaea, Young Richard Kim, ''Cambridge University Press'', 2021, pg.77</ref>

===Overview===

Line 86:

===Fallacy of the Nicene Creed===

*'''Ambiguous Creed'''

The creed affirming the equality of the [[God the Father (Jehovah)|Father]] with the [[God the Son (Jesus)|Son]], which was adopted at the Council of Nicaea, may have temporarily condemned the Arians, but it did not fully approach the essence of the scriptural [[Trinity]]. The Nicene Creed affirmed Jesus Christ as “the only-begotten Son of God” and “of one substance with the Father.” Although the term ~~“Homousius”~~ (ὁμοούσιος), meaning “of the same essence,” implies the unity of the Father and the Son as one God, this concept is inherently ambiguous.<ref>[https://lsj.gr/wiki/%E1%BD%81%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%82 ὁμοούσιος], ''LSJ''</ref> Consequently, debates over the nature of Christ persisted even after the Council of Nicaea,<ref>[https://pursuingveritas.com/2015/12/23/the-christology-debate/comment-page-1/ The Christology Debate], ''PURSUING VERITAS''</ref> leading to a series of pseudo-Arian movements in church history. These movements emphasized the humanity of Christ while undermining his divinity.

The creed affirming the equality of the [[God the Father (Jehovah)|Father]] with the [[God the Son (Jesus)|Son]], which was adopted at the Council of Nicaea, may have temporarily condemned the Arians, but it did not fully approach the essence of the scriptural [[Trinity]]. The Nicene Creed affirmed Jesus Christ as “the only-begotten Son of God” and “of one substance with the Father.” Although the term “Homoousios” (ὁμοούσιος), meaning “of the same essence,” implies the unity of the Father and the Son as one God, this concept is inherently ambiguous.<ref>[https://lsj.gr/wiki/%E1%BD%81%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%82 ὁμοούσιος], ''LSJ''</ref> Consequently, debates over the nature of Christ persisted even after the Council of Nicaea,<ref>[https://pursuingveritas.com/2015/12/23/the-christology-debate/comment-page-1/ The Christology Debate], ''PURSUING VERITAS''</ref> leading to a series of pseudo-Arian movements in church history. These movements emphasized the humanity of Christ while undermining his divinity.

Even today, not only do [[Christian|Christians]], but also theologians who profess belief in the Trinity, struggle to easily acknowledge Jesus Christ as God, although they accept Him as the Son of God. Some churches assert that the Father and the Son are one God but exist separately within that singular deity. Others view Jesus as either one of the [[Angel|angels]] or simply as a human being, a created being. Certain churches argue that the Father and the Son are one due to their shared will and purpose, yet maintain that they are fundamentally distinct from each other. In modern times, some denominations, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, which claim a difference in nature between the Father and the Son, are often viewed as espousing a form of Arianism.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 The '''Council of Nicaea''' is a world ecumenical council<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/council-Christianity Council], ''Britannica''</ref> held in [https://www.google.com/maps/place/%ED%84%B0%ED%82%A4+%EB%B6%80%EB%A3%A8%EC%82%AC+%EC%9D%B4%EC%A6%88%EB%8B%88%ED%81%AC+%EB%8B%88%EC%B9%B4%EC%9D%B4%EC%95%84/@40.4304772,29.6972329,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x14cb0bc05d7864f5:0x17b677c58432bec8!8m2!3d40.429524!4d29.719743 Nicaea (now Iznik in Türkiye)], Asia Minor. The Council of Nicaea was held twice in 325 and 787. The first council was convened by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine I]] (Latin: Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, reigned 306–337), which was the first synod of the Roman Catholic Church. The main agendas were the [[The Paschal Controversy (The Passover Controversy)|Paschal controversy]] and the [[Arianism|Arian controversy]]. In 787, Empress Irene of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) convened the second council and approved the veneration of [https://www.britannica.com/topic/icon-religious-art icons]. In general, the Council of Nicaea refers to the first council, which has great significance in history.
-The Ecumenical Councils, also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held. Ecumenical Council (Latin: Concilium Ecumenicum), also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held.
+The Ecumenical Council (Latin: Concilium Ecumenicum), also known as the World Councils, were gatherings of bishops convened to discuss and resolve matters of doctrine and heresy. Historically, seven of these councils were held.
 The First Council of Nicaea (325), the First [https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Council-of-Constantinople-381 Council of Constantinople] (381), the [https://www.britannica.com/event/councils-of-Ephesus Council of Ephesus] (431), the [https://www.britannica.com/event/Council-of-Chalcedon Council of Chalcedon] (451), the Second Council of Constantinople (553), the Third Council of Constantinople (680), and the Second Council of Nicaea (787). Coincidentally, the first and the last of the seven great councils of the world were held in Nicaea.
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Background==
 [[File:Nikea-arius.png|thumb|''Icon'' from the Mégalo Metéoron ''Monastery'' in Greece, ''representing the First'' Ecumenical ''Council of Nicaea'' in 325]]
-The First Council of Nicaea took place in May 325 at the palace of the Roman Emperor for approximately two months. It convened to address the Arian controversy, which was a problem of the world church, and the Paschal controversy, which was a long-standing dispute between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. Additionally, the council established laws regarding church structure, the role of priests, the readmission of apostates, and protocols for open penitence. Notably, the Council of Nicaea was distinctive in that it was convened not by church bishops but by Emperor Constantine I. Furthermore, the Imperial household covered the expenses for the bishops’ stay in Nicaea.<ref name=":0">The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Nicaea, Young Richard Kim, ''Cambridge University Press'', 2021, pg.77</ref>
+The First Council of Nicaea took place in May 325 at the palace of the Roman Emperor for approximately two months. It was convened to address the Arian controversy, which was a problem of the world church, and the Paschal controversy, which was a long-standing dispute between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. Additionally, the council established laws regarding church structure, the role of priests, the readmission of apostates, and protocols for open penitence. Notably, the Council of Nicaea was distinctive in that it was convened not by church bishops but by Emperor Constantine I. Furthermore, the Imperial household covered the expenses for the bishops’ stay in Nicaea.<ref name=":0">The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Nicaea, Young Richard Kim, ''Cambridge University Press'', 2021, pg.77</ref>
 ===Overview===
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 ===Fallacy of the Nicene Creed===
 *'''Ambiguous Creed'''
-The creed affirming the equality of the [[God the Father (Jehovah)|Father]] with the [[God the Son (Jesus)|Son]], which was adopted at the Council of Nicaea, may have temporarily condemned the Arians, but it did not fully approach the essence of the scriptural [[Trinity]]. The Nicene Creed affirmed Jesus Christ as “the only-begotten Son of God” and “of one substance with the Father.” Although the term “Homousius” (ὁμοούσιος), meaning “of the same essence,” implies the unity of the Father and the Son as one God, this concept is inherently ambiguous.<ref>[https://lsj.gr/wiki/%E1%BD%81%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%82 ὁμοούσιος], ''LSJ''</ref> Consequently, debates over the nature of Christ persisted even after the Council of Nicaea,<ref>[https://pursuingveritas.com/2015/12/23/the-christology-debate/comment-page-1/ The Christology Debate], ''PURSUING VERITAS''</ref> leading to a series of pseudo-Arian movements in church history. These movements emphasized the humanity of Christ while undermining his divinity.
+The creed affirming the equality of the [[God the Father (Jehovah)|Father]] with the [[God the Son (Jesus)|Son]], which was adopted at the Council of Nicaea, may have temporarily condemned the Arians, but it did not fully approach the essence of the scriptural [[Trinity]]. The Nicene Creed affirmed Jesus Christ as “the only-begotten Son of God” and “of one substance with the Father.” Although the term “Homoousios” (ὁμοούσιος), meaning “of the same essence,” implies the unity of the Father and the Son as one God, this concept is inherently ambiguous.<ref>[https://lsj.gr/wiki/%E1%BD%81%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%82 ὁμοούσιος], ''LSJ''</ref> Consequently, debates over the nature of Christ persisted even after the Council of Nicaea,<ref>[https://pursuingveritas.com/2015/12/23/the-christology-debate/comment-page-1/ The Christology Debate], ''PURSUING VERITAS''</ref> leading to a series of pseudo-Arian movements in church history. These movements emphasized the humanity of Christ while undermining his divinity.
 Even today, not only do [[Christian|Christians]], but also theologians who profess belief in the Trinity, struggle to easily acknowledge Jesus Christ as God, although they accept Him as the Son of God. Some churches assert that the Father and the Son are one God but exist separately within that singular deity. Others view Jesus as either one of the [[Angel|angels]] or simply as a human being, a created being. Certain churches argue that the Father and the Son are one due to their shared will and purpose, yet maintain that they are fundamentally distinct from each other. In modern times, some denominations, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, which claim a difference in nature between the Father and the Son, are often viewed as espousing a form of Arianism.

Council of Nicaea: Difference between revisions