Introduction
Why is unity in the church important?
Unity = strength
Witnessing Christ as a unit in our lives and actions
We are one church
How many councils does the Oriental Orthodox church, Eastern Orthodox church vs. Roman Catholic church recognize?
Oriental (us): 3
Eastern: 7
Catholic: 21
What was the Arian heresy?
Who was the Pope during the Council of Nicaea?
Pope Alexander of Alexandria
What is an Ecumenical Council? (definition)
Also known as Synod
A universal council where the bishops from all ecclesiastical provinces of the world are summoned to be present. Their decision is to be received and accepted by the whole church.
What is the source/root of Christian unity?
When the congregation act as one body of one Lord, confessing one faith by one baptism
List the three Ecumenical Councils and their dates
Council of Nicaea --> 325 A.D.
Council of Constantinople --> 381 A.D.
Council of Ephesus --> 431 A.D.
Which heretic denies the full humanity of Christ and says that He was without a soul?
Apollinarius of Laodicea
Who were the Emperors during the three councils?
Nicaea: Constantine
Constantinople: Theodosius and Gratian
Ephesus: Theodosius
What's the difference between the Nicene creed and the creed of Constantinople?
Added new parts regarding the holy spirit in response to the Macedonian or Pneumatomachian heresy
List the 3 church analogies that show the unity of the church
The church is: the Body of Christ, the Household of God, Bride of Christ
How many bishops/people attended the three councils?
Nicaea: 318
Constantinople: 150
Ephesus: 200
Who is Nestorian and what was his heresy?
Nestorian was the bishop of Constaninople in 428 A.D.
Heresy: disputes the title of St. Mary, doesn't believe that Christ's nature is equally human and divine
Who defended the faith against Arius? Which Council was this?
St. Athanasius (Pope Alexander is also acceptable), Council of Nicaea
What is the term for placing the Son lower than the Father? (related to the discussion on the Trinity)
Subordination (pg. 10)
What are some Coptic rites or traditions that express the same faith/dogma in a different way from other churches (i.e. Ethiopians)?
cymbals and triangle vs. kebero and hand bell
Bohairic Coptic vs. Amharic
What heresy was the Council of Constantinople responding to? (Describe the heresy)
Macedonian heresy: denying the divinity of the Holy Spirit
Explain the heresy of Marcellus of Ancyra
Heresy: Christ is a projection of the energy of the Father and He will be absorbed again into the Father after the final judgement.
Who defended the faith against Nestorius? how?
St. Cyril, he sent many letter and was a part of the council of Ephesus leading to the exile of Nestorius from the church.
Explain the difference between Anthropotokos, Theotokos, Christotokos
Anthropotokos: mother of man
Theotokos: mother of God
Christotokos: mother of Christ
What was the problem discussed in the Council of Jerusalem? what was the solution? who solved this problem?
Problem; not accepting Gentiles into the church (saying uncircumsized can't be saved)
Solution: salvation comes from the grace of God and not through circumcision or observance of the law of Moses.
Who: Paul, Barnabas, and other apostles and elders
What were the 3 outcomes of the 1st council? 2 outcomes of the 2nd council? and give at least 2 outcomes of the 3rd council?
Nicaea: Creed, 20 Canons. letter to Egypt
Constantinople: Addition to Creed, Canons
Ephesus: Intro to Creed, title of Theotokos, singleness of the Lord's person, inseparable unity of the 2 Natures of Christ
Explain the difference between the Eunomian and Eudoxian heresies
Eunomians believe that the Son and the Holy Spirit are creatures different from the Divine Father, while the Eudoxians believe the the Son is like the Father but they are not one.
Who was the bishop who helped in defending the faith against Nestorius? Where is he from (what city)?
Bishop Celestine of Rome
Where/when did the church establish the doctrine or the explanation of the Holy Trinity? and how?
During the Council of Constantinople when they added to the creed parts about the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Also, later through Apologists and theologians who explained the Trinity more