Creeds of Constantinople and Chalcedon

Question 1

The authors of Chalcedon’s Definition say they are compelled to write because “those who attempt to set aside the proclamation of the truth have given birth to empty talk through their own heresies.” What examples of these heresies do they provide?

Answer 1

• those who insist on the diversity of two natures that they refuse to say that Mary is the mother of God (Antiochene)
• those who use “mixture” and suggest that the divine nature is passible/capable of suffering

Question 2

“those who attempt to split up the mystery of the dispensation (i.e., the Incarnation) into a duality of sons”

Answer 2

Cyril says this about Nestorius

Question 3

“those who dare to assert that the deity of the Only Begotten is passible”

Answer 3

Apollinaris

Question 4

“those who conceive of a confusion or mixture in the case of the two natures of Christ”

Answer 4

Apollinaris

Question 5

“those who foolishly think that the ‘form of a slave’ (Phil 2) which was assumed by him from among us is of a heavenly, or some other, essence”

Answer 5

Eutyches

Question 6

“those who make up the teaching of that before the union there are two natures of the Lord, but imagine that after the union there is one”

Answer 6

Eutyches

Question 7

The centerpiece of the Definition of Chalcedon - With whom is Jesus coessential (homoousios), AND in what way is he coessential with them, according to this confession?

Answer 7

He is coessential with the Father as to his deity and coessential with us

Question 8

How are the Creed of Nicaea and Constantinople similar?

Answer 8

o structure is similar
o both emphasize the “begotten not made” language
o homoousias – of one essence

Question 9

How are the Creed of Nicaea and Constantinople different?

Answer 9

o Constantinople has “the kingdom will have no end”
• Statement about divinity and eternality of Jesus
o HS more thoroughly discussed in Constantinople
• Emphasize in the incarnation specifically because “overshadowing” and creation of Jesus body; creative activity
• “Lord” and “Life-giver” – divinity of the Spirit
• Defines spirit as that who proceeds from the Father
• Worshipped and glorified together WITH the F and S. – therefore HS must be God