1. Council of Chalcedon

2. 451 (another important date!) 451 (another important date!) Concludes debate started at Nicea (325) Concludes debate started at Nicea (325) Definitive teaching about Christ Definitive teaching about Christ Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox christologies today work with the formula of Chalcedon Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox christologies today work with the formula of Chalcedon Yet, there’s still a lot of room for thinking about Christ Yet, there’s still a lot of room for thinking about Christ Negative, not positive, formula allows this Negative, not positive, formula allows this “rule for Christological language” (p. 30): doesn’t totally explain who Jesus is, but sets language for talking about Christ “rule for Christological language” (p. 30): doesn’t totally explain who Jesus is, but sets language for talking about Christ

3. Pope Leo I Rise of papal authority Rise of papal authority first few centuries: bishop of Rome is “first among equals” first few centuries: bishop of Rome is “first among equals” Honor for apostle Peter, head of the apostles Honor for apostle Peter, head of the apostles 5 prominent patriarchs 5 prominent patriarchs 5 th century: Pope steps in to help resolve disputes 5 th century: Pope steps in to help resolve disputes But council actually resolves it; pope just helps But council actually resolves it; pope just helps East and West split 1054 East and West split 1054 In West, only patriarch is bishop of Rome In West, only patriarch is bishop of Rome East does not accept his authority over other patriarchs East does not accept his authority over other patriarchs High point of papal authority: 1070s to 1300s High point of papal authority: 1070s to 1300s Pope is head spiritual authority AND all political authorities must submit to him Pope is head spiritual authority AND all political authorities must submit to him

4. Chalcedon, 451 Strikes a middle ground Strikes a middle ground Condemns Nestorius (divides two natures) Condemns Nestorius (divides two natures) Condemns Eutyches (confuses two natures into one) Condemns Eutyches (confuses two natures into one) Not every word is equally important! Not every word is equally important! Formula of Chalcedon Formula of Chalcedon Jesus Christ is one person, two natures Jesus Christ is one person, two natures Natures cannot be confused or separated Natures cannot be confused or separated

5. So what? What does this mean? Contemporary images of Jesus Contemporary images of Jesus Churches Churches Art Art Film, TV, music Film, TV, music What might Chalcedon mean for these? What might Chalcedon mean for these? divide human and divine natures in Christ? divide human and divine natures in Christ? confuse human and divine natures in Christ? confuse human and divine natures in Christ? Unspoken rule: cannot overemphasize one nature to the exclusion of the other Unspoken rule: cannot overemphasize one nature to the exclusion of the other

6. For next time Read background on Augustine in Chidester Read background on Augustine in Chidester Teaching Christianity, book 1 Teaching Christianity, book 1 How does he define “use” and “enjoyment”? How does he define “use” and “enjoyment”? How are human problems related to mixing up these two forms of love? How are human problems related to mixing up these two forms of love? How should Christians love other people (read carefully!)? How should Christians love other people (read carefully!)?