History of the Church I: Week Eight

Who is this “God-Man”?  At your table read Matthew 16:13-17, Mark 8:27-29  Discuss the questions on your worksheet  Class discussion  Discuss the idea of the Trinity  Class discussion

Christology  is derived from two Greek words  a. Christos meaning “Christ”  b. logos meaning “word, reason, study of”  is the study of the Person of Jesus Christ  addresses the issue of Jesus being both God and man, and becoming such in the incarnation  Incarnation: the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ

Council Of Nicaea  First Council of Nicaea (325)  called by Constantine repudiated Arianism (belief that Jesus was not of the same substance as God, but a created being exalted above all other creatures)  declared that Christ is fully divine  adopted the original Nicene Creed

Council Of Constantinople  381 A.D.  called by Theodosius  repudiated Arianism  declared that Christ is fully human  declared God head is equal in all parts

Council Of Ephesus  431 A.D.  called by Celestine  repudiated Nestorianisn  declared that Christ is 100% God and 100% man  Christ is a unified person

Council Of Chalcedon  451 A.D.  Called by Emperor Marcian  repudiated Nestorianism  declared that Christ is 100% God and 100% man  Christ is a unified person  The followers of Nestorius went to Persia and India

Coptic Church  The Coptic church was formed from believers who rejected the Chalcedon Council  They set up churches in Egypt, Syria and South India  The Christians who have been under sieged by the terrorist group Isis in Syria and Iraq are the remnants of these ancient churches