Chapter 10: Doctrine of the Holy Trinity – Part 1

Question 1

Which council officially rejected the heresy of Arius? (Council of Ephesus, Council of Chalcedon, Council of Nicaea)

Answer 1

Council of Nicea

Question 2

Which title was declared heretical in the Council of Ephesus in AD 431? (Theotokos, Christotokos, Dyophysite)

Answer 2

Christotokos

Question 3

The Apostolic Period lasted from AD 30 to AD _____.

Answer 3

70

Question 4

It was only after the death of _________, Christians started to gain recognition as a separate religious group.

Answer 4

St. Stephen

Question 5

The Second Council of Constantinople in AD 553 made the split between the Eastern and _______ Orthodox Churches very clear.

Answer 5

Oriental

Question 6

The Nicene Creed, established in AD 325, affirms belief in the _______ doctrine.

Answer 6

Trinitarian

Question 7

The followers during the Apostolic Disciple Period (AD 70 to AD 110) learned directly from the _______.

Answer 7

Apostles

Question 8

True or False?
The Syrian Orthodox Church accepts the Dyophysite theory.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

True or False?
The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) aimed to establish the supremacy of the See of Rome in theology.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

True or False?
The Syriac Orthodox Church has no connection to the See of Antioch.

Answer 10

False

Question 10

True or False?
The term Trinity refers to one God existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Which group of churches does the Syrian Orthodox Church belong?

Answer 11

Oriental Orthodox Church

Question 11

Who declared the Edict of Milan? (Diocletian, Constantinople, Herod)

Answer 11

Constantinople

Question 12

Answer in one or two sentences:
What was the significance of the Edict of Milan in AD 313 for Christianity?

Answer 12

The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine in AD 313, granted complete religious freedom for Christians.

Question 13

Answer in one or two sentences:
Why did the Council of Ephesus reject the term “Christotokos” in favour of “Theotokos”?

Answer 13

The Council of Ephesus rejected the term “Christotokos,” which means “Christ-bearer,” because it implied that Mary gave birth only to Christ’s human nature. Instead, the council affirmed the title “Theotokos,” meaning “God-bearer,” to emphasize the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person, thereby declaring Nestorius’ dyophysite view heretical.

Question 14

Answer in one or two sentences:
What is the Dyophysite theory, and why was it rejected by the Oriental Orthodox Churches?

Answer 14

The Dyophysite theory, proposed by Nestorius, asserts that Christ had two separate natures—one divine and one human. The Oriental Orthodox Churches rejected this theory because they believed in the unity of Christ’s nature, affirming that Christ is both fully divine and fully human in one person without division.

Question 15

Answer in one or two sentences:
How did the Council of Nicaea contribute to the development of the Trinitarian doctrine?

Answer 15

The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 played a crucial role in establishing the Trinitarian doctrine by affirming that Christ is of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father, rejecting Arianism, which denied Christ’s divinity. The Nicene Creed, formulated at this council, became the foundational statement of Trinitarian belief in Christianity.

Question 16

Answer in a paragraph:
Explain the Trinitarian concept of the Syrian Orthodox Church and how does it influence universally?

Answer 16

The Syrian Orthodox Christian faith, rooted in the traditions of Eastern Christianity, adheres to the Trinitarian concept that is fundamental to Christian theology. The Trinitarian doctrine asserts the belief in one God existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The Syriac Orthodox Church has contributed to the development and articulation of the Trinitarian understanding within the broader Christian tradition, especially at the Council of Nicaea as the oldest Church in the Council.

Question 17

Answer in a paragraph:
Explain the doctrine of the Holy Spirit defined by our Church?

Answer 17

The Holy Spirit is considered the third person of the Trinity and is believed to proceed from the Father. It is sent by the Son to dwell within believers and to bring about transformation and renewal in their lives. The Syriac tradition recognises the transformative and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and acknowledges that it guides, empowers, and comforts us in our journey of faith. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but a personal presence that works within us to bring about positive changes in our lives.

Question 18

Write an essay:
Explain the role of the Syriac Orthodox Church in shaping the understanding of the Holy Trinity and its significance in early Christian theological debates.

Answer 18

The Syriac Orthodox Church, rooted in the See of Antioch, played a critical role in the early Christian theological debates on the nature of Christ and the Trinity. It actively participated in the Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Ephesus (AD 431), contributing to the rejection of Arianism and Nestorianism. By affirming the Nicene Creed and rejecting the Dyophysite theory, the Syriac Orthodox Church upheld the belief in the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures, thus reinforcing the Trinitarian doctrine of one God in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church’s emphasis on the Trinity has been foundational to its theology and continues to influence Christian belief worldwide.

Question 19

Write an essay:
Describe the key events in the early history of the Christian Church from the Apostolic Period to the Council of Constantinople in AD 553.

Answer 19

The Apostolic Period (AD 30 to AD 70) saw the early spread of Christianity, with the Jerusalem Council helping to distinguish Christianity from Judaism by denying the need for adherence to Jewish Torah laws. During the Apostolic Disciple Period (AD 70 to AD 110), followers learned directly from the apostles. The Edict of Milan in AD 313 granted Christians religious freedom, leading to rapid growth. The Council of Nicaea (AD 325) rejected Arianism and affirmed the Trinitarian doctrine. The Council of Constantinople in AD 381 further developed these ideas. The Council of Ephesus (AD 431) rejected Nestorianism, and the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) addressed issues related to Christ’s nature. The Council of Constantinople in AD 553 marked the formal split between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches.