1. Gregory Nazianzus

2. From Gregory of Nazianzus
When I praise Athanasius, virtue itself is my theme: for I name every virtue as often as I mention him who was possessed of all virtues. He was the true pillar of the church. His life and conduct were the rule of bishops, and his doctrine the rule of the orthodox faith.

3. Nicea 325…review At Issue…the divinity of Jesus.
Arius (and others) taught “there was when he was not..”
Athanasius (and others) taught that the Son
of God was indeed true God of the same substance (homoousious) as the Father.
The Council of Nicea affirmed this theology.
HOWEVER…

4. The Controversy Continues…
Constantine the Great dies 337.
Constantius (his son) becomes Emperor, along with brothers Constans and Constantine 2. And they are fans of Arius.
Arius is reinstated after “agreeing” with the Nicene Creed, but continues his false teachings. Athanasius is exiled.
New heresies arise in addition to Arianism.

5. The Macedonians
Also known as “Pneumatomachi” (Combaters of the Holy Spirit)
Denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Said Spirit was a creature of the Father and of the Son.
So now, a resurgence of Arianism and rise of Macedonianism.
New defenders of Orthodoxy arise.

6. The Cappadocian Fathers
Basil Gregory Gregory The Great of Nyssa of Nazianzus

7. Basil the Great 330-379 Called “The Father of Eastern Monasticism”
Bishop of Caeserea (in Cappadocia)
Defender of Nicea

8. Gregory of Nyssa 335-395 Basil’s little brother.
Very quiet. Went monastic when wife died.
Bishop of Nyssa
Defender of Nicea

9. Gregory Nazianzus 329-390 Tremendous orator Bishop of Sasima 372
Patriarch of Constantinople 380
Especially remembered for two things:
1) Defense of divinity of the Holy Spirit
2) “Finalization” of doctrine of the Trinity.

10. Remember the Macedonians…
Gregory’s defense of the Holy Spirit was not taken from Scripture verses per se, but more an understanding of Scripture as it applies to the Christian life…
See Excerpts on the Holy Spirit
(Also see Acts 5)

11. On the Trinity
Athanasius was the foremost theologian to develop the homoousious of the Godhead, That is, Father, Son, Holy Spirit are of the “same substance” Gregory was the foremost theologian to develop the hypostasis or Hypostatic Union of the Godhead.

12. The Hypostatic Union
Essentially means that while Father, Son, Holy Spirit share the common essence of God, (homoousia), God is also individual persons with independent existence and unique characteristics (hypostasis). In other words…Three Persons, One God. (See Excerpts)

13. Pre-Constantinople 381
Gregory brought Nicene theology to Constantinople 380.
Pastored small congregation in Const. often attacked by Arians, even during services.
Theodosius becomes Emperor, and he’s Orthodox.
Names Gregory patriarch of Const. and calls for council to discuss again the Arian influence, the divinity of the Holy Spirit, and the Nicene Creed.

14. Constantinople 381 Some 186 Bishops in attendance
Gregory presided but soon resigned because of opposition.
Condemned Macedonianism
Affirmed the Nicene Creed, with an addition:
“…The Lord and giver of life, who proceeded from the Father and the Son… (to the end).