The Nicene Creed begins with the confident affirmation ‘We believe in’ (pisteuomen eis) referring to Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the one, holy, cath-olic and apostolic Church.”
This introduction is taken from the World Council of Churches’ “Confessing the One Faith”, a Faith and Order Study Document dealing with the key ecumenical issues determined in the First Council of Nicaea in 325 and in the Second Council of Constantinople in 381. This introductory sentence already indicates the main topics and key ecumenical issues thematized in the history of Christian dogma from the beginning of the Christian faith until nowadays, namely the unity of the Church and the Christian Triune God.
One year after the achievement of his autocratic rule, Constantine convoked the First Ecumenical Council in 325 to restore the unity of the church as the most significant factor of integration in his empire. This council does not only mirror the essential change within the balance of power and relationship of church and state at that point of time, but it also marks the ecumenically relevant emphasis of the oneness of the church. In this council it was decided that there is only one church which can be characterized as holy, catholic and apostolic. Fifty-six years later, this church historical success was pursued in the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in terms of the doctrine of the Trinity. Hereby, the relationship between God and Jesus Christ was indeterminate and the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit was questioned. As the first dogma in ecclesiastical history, it was agreed that the Christian God is triune and consists of God Father, God Son and the Holy Spirit.
In the following essay, these two key ecumenical issues reinforced in the first two Ecumenical Councils in the fourth century regarding the unity of the Church and the Trinitarian theology of Christianity shall be examined and further explained with the help of the World Council of Churches’ “Confessing the One Faith”. Hereby, the key ecumenical agreements will be pointed out as well as their relevance and consequences for inter-religious coexistence and dialogue nowadays.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Triune God
2.1 God Father
2.2 God Son
2.3 God the Holy Spirit
3. The One Church
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
This work aims to examine the two key ecumenical issues established in the fourth century: the unity of the Church and the Trinitarian theology of Christianity. By analyzing these concepts through the lens of the World Council of Churches’ study document "Confessing the One Faith," the essay explores their historical foundations and their ongoing relevance for contemporary interreligious dialogue and coexistence.
- The historical development of the Trinitarian doctrine in early Ecumenical Councils.
- The theological understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The definition and characterization of the Church as holy, catholic, and apostolic.
- The role of baptism and sacraments in the communion of the faithful.
- The impact of early Christian dogma on modern ecumenism and interfaith relations.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 God Father
God Father is the first of the three persons involved in the Christian Triune God. He is as well the source of life as the aim of life because of his unlimited power. This power is expressed in the term “almighty” which is directly connected to him. On the one hand, it emphasizes his indefinite influence over the universe and his unlimited love for his creation. On the other hand, it also points out the limitation of the world and its dependence on God because he is the one who rules over life and history. God Father’s omnipotence goes so far that he is even able to leave the transcendent world and enter the immanent world, his own creation via God Son.
“It is a power so transcendent that God could, in the incarnation, enter his own creation and hereby victoriously assert his claim upon it through what appeared to be the absolute and final negation of his power, the crucifixion of the incarnate Son.”
This leads to the second title that is exclusively related to him, namely the title of the Father. This title does not indicate a hierarchical or biological connecting with the other two hypostases, but the name needs to be understood in connection with them. Again, the term “Father” underlines his function as the source of life. God Father is the originator of the world, he is responsible for everything that is in it and watches his creation to protect and sustain it. Moreover, the title “Father” expresses a close relationship with the other two hypostases. It is the Son himself who addresses him with the name Father and hereby submissively accepts God Father’s decision and his death on the cross.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the historical context of the first two Ecumenical Councils in Nicaea and Constantinople and introduces the core topics of the unity of the Church and the Triune God.
2. The Triune God: This section explains the Trinitarian concept, detailing the unique roles and divine equality of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as established in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
2.1 God Father: This chapter focuses on the role of God the Father as the almighty creator, the source of life, and his paternal relationship with the other two persons of the Trinity.
2.2 God Son: This chapter examines the nature of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine, highlighting his mission of salvation and his role as the mediator between God and humanity.
2.3 God the Holy Spirit: This chapter discusses the role of the Holy Spirit as the giver of life and faith, and his immanent presence in the Church to guide believers.
3. The One Church: This chapter defines the Church's unity based on its characterization as holy, catholic, and apostolic, and its function as the earthly community of the faithful.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the significance of early dogmatic agreements for modern Christian identity and their continued relevance for interfaith understanding.
Keywords
Trinity, Ecumenical Councils, Nicaea, Constantinople, Church Unity, God Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Christian Dogma, Salvation, Baptism, Apostolicity, Interreligious Dialogue, Faith, World Council of Churches
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the two central ecumenical themes of Christian history: the doctrine of the Triune God and the concept of the unity of the Church.
What are the primary thematic areas covered in the text?
The text covers Trinitarian theology, the nature of the three divine persons, the historical development of Christian dogma, and the theological definition of the Church.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author investigates how the theological agreements reached in the fourth-century Ecumenical Councils continue to influence modern Christian identity and interreligious dialogue.
Which scientific method is utilized in this work?
The work employs a theological and historical analysis, primarily relying on the World Council of Churches' study document "Confessing the One Faith."
What content is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the specific roles of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, followed by an analysis of the Church's characteristics as holy, catholic, and apostolic.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Trinity, Church Unity, Ecumenical Councils, Christian Dogma, Salvation, and Interreligious Dialogue.
How does the author explain the divinity of Jesus Christ in relation to the Father?
The author notes that Jesus Christ is considered consubstantial with the Father, possessing both a human and a divine nature that are neither united nor divided in a way that would negate his full divinity.
Why is the concept of "The One Church" considered holy according to the author?
The Church is considered holy because it is sanctified by God's word, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and serves as a place of forgiveness for the faithful.
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- Jana Patricia Hemmelskamp (Autor:in), 2013, What are the key ecumenical issues raised in the continuing reception of Confessing the One Faith?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278550
