CHURCH HISTORYII EXAMINATION REVISION

CHURCH HISTORYII EXAMINATION REVISION

Q. 1. Why were Gnosticism and Arianism heresies in relation to the teaching of the Nicaea-Constantinople creed?

Gnosticism: Key words to note- “claims possession of secrete knowledge that saves.”

·         Gnosticism was a belief system that originated around the 1^st and 2^nd century. It applied elements of Jewish beliefs, Persian philosophy and later Christian revelation. This gave it a heterodoxy outlook.

·         It is heretical because it claimed to possess a secrete knowledge that offers salvation and redemption to all adherers.

·         This implies that we cannot attain salvation through Jesus Christ, but through knowledge. Therefore, only the enlightened can be saved.

·         It is a negation of the Apostolic Teachings backed by the Scripture that confirms Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.

Arianism: Key words- “The Son of God is a creation of the Father, therefore he is not truly God.”

·         Arianism was a heretical teaching that originated from Arius a priest from Alexandria in 318AD.

·         It is heretical because it states that the Logos (Christ) was created out of nothing, meaning that there was a time Christ never existed, and is therefore a mere creature.

·         This implies that Christ is not of one nature, not co-eternal and con-substantial with the Father.

·         It negates the words of the Holy Scripture as seen in the Gospel of St. John

The Teachings of The Council: Key words-“The Father and the Son are of One Being and co-equal.”

·         While the council of Nicaea professes Jesus Christ as True God and True man, Constantinople affirms the divinity of the Holy Spirit and finally ends the Christological controversy caused by Arius.

·         The Councils taught that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal and are of one substance and nature, but distinct in persons.

Q. 2. Discuss the Trinitarian controversy in the Council of Constantinople, naming three Church Fathers and their role in the council.

·         It was the Arian heresy that degenerated into the Trinitarian controversy; for it was the Christological controversy of the Father-Son relationship that led to it. This was not totally resolved due to the term ‘Homo-ousions’ which is believed to have been proffered by Tertullian as an affirmation of the absolute equality that exist between the Father and  the Son.

·         This term was however rejected by two Bishop who argued that it has no scriptural foundation; it has once been linked to a heretical group, and so should not be added to the Creed.

·         From this, the question arose if The Holy Spirit is God. The Arians objected and so were called ‘Pneumatomachoi,’ meaning those who fight against the Spirit.

·         However, it took effort of four Greek Fathers of- Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus and Amphilochius of Iconium, who worked on the vocabulary to clarify the relationship of the Trinity.

·         They did this by separating the term ‘Ousia’ to mean being of one nature and substance, and applied the term ‘hypostasis’. And from these they defined the Trinity as three equal persons that are one by nature through the hypostatic union.

Q. 3. Explain the Edict of Toleration, stating its year of promulgation as well as the Emperors.

·         The Edict of Toleration is the freedom granted to the early Christians at different times in the Roman Empire permitting them certain degree of liberty to carry out their daily activities.

·         In 261AD Emperor Gallilius issued an edict of tolerance granting Christians and Jews freedom of worship. This edict stopped Emperor Valerian’s prohibition of Christians in 257AD from worshiping in cemeteries. It however did not grant official and legal status to Christianity.

·         In 311AD another Edict of Tolerance was issued by Emperor Constantine stopping totally all bloodshed of Christians.

·         It was this that culminated into the Edict of Milan that grants Christianity a legal status in the Empire

Q. 4. Highlight the ways of fixing doctrinal controversies

·         There three ways to this. First of this is through the Teachings and Writings of Bishops- Every Bishop is supposed to instruct the faithful of his diocese on the church’s faith and exposing false doctrines.

·         Secondly, through the writings of early Christians like Eusebius and Origen who by their Theological outlining of Christian doctrine defended the faith. It was from this effort The Catechetical Schools of Alexandria and Antioch emerged and left their mark in history of Christianity

·         Thirdly, through the Convoking of Ecumenical Councils which is a gathering of all church leaders (particularly Bishops) and intellectual for the sake of defining the doctrines of the Christian faith.

Methodology: “Apply the KISS Principle (keep it short and simple), and cite approved sources.”

·         Go straight to the point and avoid all irrelevant statements and examples that will annoy him.

·         He often require us to adopt the triple W pattern (who or what is it, where, and why- purpose).

·         Whatever you write DONOT exceed 1 and half pages. Although this will depend of the question.

·         According to some brothers who are great performers in the course, brevity is necessary and you must cite your sources at the end of each question; and avoid the cliché “according to..,” instead say “in the course of my reading or research….” This will give him the notion that you encountered the texts.

·         Some others however suggest that we stick only to the approved texts in our citation, and do not try to deviate from the perspective that he has taught us.

·         Finally, pray for success.

Sources: 1. P. C. Thomas. 2. Jean Comby. 3. Eusebius- Ecclesiastical History. 4. Lecture note.

Good Luck!!!