The Ante Nicene Church Flashcards
Define Modalism.
A heresy propagated by Sybellius which states that God is not three persons, but merely three forms or expressions of a singular person.
In what year did Emperor Galerius issue the Edict of Toleration?
311 AD
In what year was the Edict of Milan issued, and what did it entail?
313 AD; it meant that the persecution of Christians was now more emphatically over (compare with Galerius’ Edict of Toleration, which was mostly just official). Also distinct from Christianity becoming the state religion under Theodosius.
What were the three primary parties attempting to defend their ideas at Nicaea?
Arian, Semi-Arian, Orthodox.
Define the heretical view put forth at Nicaea: [name of the view, key greek word, name of chief proponent(s), definition]
Arianism: championed by Eusebius of Nicomedia. Key word : “heteroousios”, of a different essence. Arianism is the belief that Christ is not fully God; the Son is of a different essence than the Father.
Define the moderate view put forth at Nicaea: [name of the view, key greek word, name of chief proponent(s), definition]
Semi-Arianism (mediating view) championed by Eusebius of Caesarea. Key word: “homoiousios”, of a similar essence. Semi-Arianism is the belief that the Son is of a similar (but not identical) essence as the Father.
Define the theologically correct view put forth at Nicaea: [name of the view, key greek word, name of chief proponent(s), definition]
Orthodox, championed by Athanasius and Hosius of Cordova. Key word: “homoousios,” of the same essence. Orthodoxy in this context is the belief that the Son is of the same essence as the Father.
What are the two types of monasticism?
Anchorite Monasticism: hermits/solitude/asceticism Cenobite Monasticism: lived in groups, focused on order and community.
List the key figures in anchorite monasticism:
Paul of Thebes, Saint Anthony, Macarius, Simon Stylites (Simon Tower-Dweller)
List the key figures of cenobitic monasticism:
Pachomius, Basil of Caesarea.
Describe the events leading to the conversion of Constantine:
He was en route to Rome to battle his rival, Maxentius. He saw the image of the cross, and the words, “in this sign, conquer.” When he defeated Maxentius he thanked the Christian God.
For what reasons do historians doubt or accept the authenticity of Constantine’s conversion?
Some consider it inauthentic because, 1, he retained the title ‘Pontifex Maximus,’ 2, elements of paganism remained, and 3, not all of his dealings were godly. Some consider it authentic because of the marked change in his personal and family life.
What compromises took place due to having a “Christian” emperor?
- The church began to be filled with those who only came for political reasons. 2. Constantine ruled the church and the bishops politically, as part of his political staff.
Describe the beliefs of Arius concerning the Trinity:
Arius believed in subordinationalism; the Son is of a different essence (heteroousios) than the Father, is less God than the Father, and is therefore subordinate to Him (which is, you know, where the name comes from). The Son and the Spirit are lesser, created deities.
What did Athanasius contribute to the Council of Nicaea?
He ‘contributed’ as the secretary of Alexander of Alexandria, whom he would later succeed as bishop.
Who were the Semi-Arians?
They were a moderate faction that broke away from the Arians. They wished to find a middle-ground approach to Christ’s deity; he is ‘homoiousios’, similar, but not the same as the Father.
How is homoousios different from homoiousios?
Homoousios is the Orthodox view; homoiousios is the Semi-Arian view. Homoousios means that Christ has the same nature as the Father; homoiousios means that Christ has a similar nature to the Father.
What was the heresy condemned by the Council of Constantinople in AD 318?
Apollinarianism. The belief that the Logos displaced the animating soul of the man Jesus, creating a “unity of nature” between the Logos and the physical man Jesus.
Who was Nestorius, and what was his view of Christ?
Nestorius was the Bishop of Constantinople, prior to his excommunication. He believed that Christ had two natures, but was a singular object of worship. It remains unclear how much of his teaching was actually heretical.
Who was Eutyches, and what was his view of Christ?
Eutyches was the leader of a monastery near Constantinople. He believed that Christ had only one nature; that it was inseparably and uniquely divine and human; that Christ’s human nature was absorbed by his divinity.
List the “summary statements” for the following major church councils: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (451).
Nicaea: Christ is fully Divine
Constantinople: Christ is fully human
Ephesus: Christ’s natures are unified
Chalcedon: Christ’s natures are distinct
Who is regarded as the first monk?
St. Anthony
How did Constantine’s conversion influence Christianity, and why did this motivate some to become monks?
Constantine’s conversion brough lukewarmness, pagan elements, corruption, lack of commitment, etc., to the Church. Many became ascetics to avoid this corruption.
What did the monks protest, and what danger did their protest cause?
They protested corruption in the Church. Their trouble was that the ascetic life aroused great public interest, and crowds followed them out to the wilderness to watch.
