Ecumenical Councils

The Ecumenical Councils: Exploration of the Major Councils and Their Impact on Church Doctrine

Level of Education: Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies

Purpose

To examine the major ecumenical councils of the early church, understand their decisions, and analyze their impact on Christian doctrine.

Objectives

1. Identify the key ecumenical councils and their historical context.
2. Analyze the doctrinal decisions made at these councils.
3. Evaluate the long-term impact of these councils on church doctrine and practice.

Key Concepts, Terms, and Keywords

• Ecumenical Council: A gathering of church leaders to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice.
• Orthodoxy: Adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion.
• Heresy: Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.
• Nicene Creed: A statement of Christian faith formulated at the Council of Nicaea.
• Arianism: A heresy denying the divinity of Christ.
• Nestorianism: A heresy that emphasized the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus.
• Monophysitism: A heresy that claimed Jesus had only one nature, either divine or a synthesis of divine and human.

Lesson Content

1. The Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

• Historical Context: Convened by Emperor Constantine to address the Arian controversy.
• Key Issue: The nature of Christ’s divinity.
• Decision: Affirmation of Christ’s consubstantiality with the Father; formulation of the Nicene Creed.
  • Scriptural Basis: John 1:1-14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
  • Explanation: The council declared that the Son is “begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”

2. The Council of Constantinople (381 AD)

• Historical Context: Called to address various heresies and complete the work of Nicaea.
• Key Issue: The divinity of the Holy Spirit.
• Decision: Affirmation of the Holy Spirit’s divinity; expansion of the Nicene Creed (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed).
  • Scriptural Basis: John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
  • Explanation: The Holy Spirit is confirmed as consubstantial with the Father and the Son.

3. The Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

• Historical Context: Convened to address Nestorianism.
• Key Issue: The nature of Christ and the title of Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer).
• Decision: Affirmation that Christ is one person with two natures (divine and human); Mary is Theotokos.
  • Scriptural Basis: Luke 1:43 – “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
  • Explanation: The council declared that Jesus is one person with both divine and human natures, and Mary is rightly called the mother of God.

4. The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

• Historical Context: Addressed Monophysitism and further clarified Christological doctrine.
• Key Issue: The nature of Christ.
• Decision: Definition of the two natures of Christ (divine and human) in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation.
  • Scriptural Basis: John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
  • Explanation: The Chalcedonian Definition articulated the hypostatic union of Christ’s two natures.

5. The Second Council of Constantinople (553 AD)

• Historical Context: Sought to resolve ongoing Christological controversies and affirm Chalcedonian orthodoxy.
• Key Issue: The relationship between Christ’s divine and human natures.
• Decision: Reaffirmed the decisions of Chalcedon and condemned certain writings perceived as Nestorian.
  • Scriptural Basis: Colossians 2:9 – “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
  • Explanation: Emphasized the unity of Christ’s person and the fullness of both natures in Him.

6. The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681 AD)

• Historical Context: Addressed the Monothelite controversy.
• Key Issue: The wills of Christ.
• Decision: Affirmed that Christ has two wills (divine and human) that correspond to His two natures.
  • Scriptural Basis: Matthew 26:39 – “Not as I will, but as you will.”
  • Explanation: Affirmed that Christ’s human will is in harmony with His divine will.

7. The Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD)

• Historical Context: Addressed the issue of iconoclasm.
• Key Issue: The veneration of icons.
• Decision: Affirmation of the veneration (not worship) of icons as a legitimate practice.
  • Scriptural Basis: Exodus 25:18-22 – Instructions to make cherubim for the Ark of the Covenant.
  • Explanation: Distinguished between veneration of icons and the worship due to God alone.

King Jesus’ Model/Example

• John 17:20-21: Jesus’ prayer for unity among His followers.
  • Explanation: The ecumenical councils sought to maintain the unity of the church in faith and doctrine.

Practical Applications (Bible-Based)

1. Doctrinal Clarity: Understanding the historical context and decisions of the ecumenical councils helps in articulating and defending the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15).
2. Church Unity: Embracing the spirit of unity and cooperation exemplified by the councils (Ephesians 4:3).
3. Faithfulness to Orthodoxy: Holding firm to the orthodox teachings affirmed by the councils (2 Timothy 1:13-14).

Exam Questions and Answers

1. Question: What was the primary issue addressed at the Council of Nicaea, and what was the outcome? Answer: The primary issue was the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Christ’s divinity. The outcome was the affirmation of Christ’s consubstantiality with the Father and the formulation of the Nicene Creed.
2. Question: How did the Council of Constantinople (381 AD) expand upon the Nicene Creed? Answer: The Council of Constantinople affirmed the divinity of the Holy Spirit and expanded the Nicene Creed to include a fuller statement on the Holy Spirit, resulting in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.
3. Question: What was the significance of the Council of Ephesus (431 AD)? Answer: The Council of Ephesus addressed Nestorianism and affirmed that Christ is one person with two natures (divine and human) and declared Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer).
4. Question: Describe the Chalcedonian Definition and its importance. Answer: The Chalcedonian Definition articulated that Christ has two natures, divine and human, united in one person without confusion, change, division, or separation. This was crucial for clarifying orthodox Christology and rejecting Monophysitism.
5. Question: What was the outcome of the Second Council of Constantinople (553 AD)? Answer: The council reaffirmed the decisions of Chalcedon and condemned certain writings perceived as Nestorian, emphasizing the unity of Christ’s person and the fullness of both natures in Him.
6. Question: What issue did the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681 AD) address, and what was its decision? Answer: The council addressed the Monothelite controversy and affirmed that Christ has two wills (divine and human) that correspond to His two natures.
7. Question: Explain the significance of the Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD) regarding the veneration of icons. Answer: The Second Council of Nicaea affirmed the veneration (not worship) of icons as a legitimate practice, distinguishing it from the worship due to God alone, and resolved the issue of iconoclasm.
8. Question: How did the ecumenical councils contribute to the development of Christian orthodoxy? Answer: The ecumenical councils contributed to the development of Christian orthodoxy by addressing heresies, defining key doctrines, and fostering unity in the church’s teachings on essential theological issues.
9. Question: What was the role of Emperor Constantine in the Council of Nicaea? Answer: Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea to address the Arian controversy and sought to unify the church and maintain peace in the empire by resolving doctrinal disputes.
10. Question: How did the decisions of the ecumenical councils impact the subsequent history of the church? Answer: The decisions of the ecumenical councils had a lasting impact by shaping the core doctrines of Christianity, promoting church unity, and providing a foundation for future theological development and defense against heresies.

Research Citations (MLA Format)

1. González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. HarperOne, 2010. Available in eBook format.
2. Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. Continuum, 2000. Available in eBook format.
3. Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University of Chicago Press, 1975. Available in eBook format.
4. Schaff, Philip. The Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Undivided Church: Their Canons and Dogmatic Decrees. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007. Available in eBook format.
5. McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. Available in eBook format.

This lesson provides an in-depth exploration of the major ecumenical councils, their key decisions, and their lasting impact on Christian doctrine. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these councils to grasp the development of orthodox Christian beliefs and practices.