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
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the key ecumenical issues of the unity of the Church and the Trinitarian theology of Christianity, as reinforced in the first two Ecumenical Councils of the fourth century. It utilizes the World Council of Churches' "Confessing the One Faith" to highlight key ecumenical agreements and their contemporary relevance for interreligious coexistence and dialogue.
- The unity of the Church
- The Trinitarian theology of Christianity
- The nature and roles of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
- The significance of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
- The implications of these theological concepts for interreligious relations
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introduction sets the stage by referencing the Nicene Creed and the World Council of Churches' document, "Confessing the One Faith," to establish the central themes of the essay: the unity of the Church and the Christian understanding of the Triune God. It highlights the historical context of the First and Second Ecumenical Councils, emphasizing their roles in defining core Christian doctrines and their lasting impact on ecumenical discourse. The introduction effectively establishes the essay's scope and methodology, signaling an analysis of these key themes through the lens of the aforementioned document.
2. The Triune God: This chapter delves into the complexities of the Trinitarian concept within Christianity, addressing the frequent misinterpretations of it as polytheistic rather than monotheistic. It clarifies that the Trinity signifies the triality within one God, emphasizing the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as creator, redeemer, and sustainer, respectively. The chapter extensively discusses the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381, which formally established the concept of one divine being (ousia) with three persons (hypostases), resolving earlier theological disputes regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The chapter underscores the equality and interconnectedness of the three persons, rejecting hierarchical structures within the Trinity.
2.1 God Father: This section focuses on God the Father, exploring his attributes and roles. It highlights his omnipotence, his role as the source of life, and his connection to creation. The chapter analyzes three key titles associated with God the Father: Almighty, Father, and Creator. The "Almighty" emphasizes his power over the universe and his love for creation; "Father" signifies his role as the origin of all things and his close relationship with the Son and the Holy Spirit; and "Creator" emphasizes his role in the creation of the world "ex nihilo" and the bestowal of freedom upon humanity, which is simultaneously a source of both the intrinsic goodness of creation and the possibility of human sin.
2.2 God Son: This section concentrates on Jesus Christ, God the Son, as the savior who allows God to enter the immanent world. It discusses his dual nature – fully human and fully divine – as established by the Council of Chalcedon (451). The section explains his divine nature derived from God the Father and his human nature through his birth from the Virgin Mary (Theotokos), an agreement reached at the Council of Ephesus (431). The chapter also explores his lordship, attributed to his resurrection, and his role in God's plan of redemption from the beginning of creation.
Keywords
Trinitarian Theology, Ecumenical Councils, Nicene Creed, Unity of the Church, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Interreligious Dialogue, Christian Dogma, Council of Nicaea, Council of Constantinople, Ousia, Hypostases.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview examining key ecumenical issues: the unity of the Church and the Trinitarian theology of Christianity. It focuses on the significance of the first two Ecumenical Councils of the fourth century and utilizes the World Council of Churches' "Confessing the One Faith" to highlight key ecumenical agreements and their contemporary relevance.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include the unity of the Church, Trinitarian theology (the nature and roles of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), the significance of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, and the implications of these theological concepts for interreligious relations.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured with an introduction, chapters on the Triune God (broken down into sections on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), a chapter on the One Church, and a concluding section with keywords. Each chapter provides a summary.
What is the significance of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed?
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381 is central to the text. It formally established the concept of one divine being (ousia) with three persons (hypostases), resolving earlier theological disputes and defining core Christian doctrines.
How does the text address the Trinity?
The text clarifies the Trinitarian concept, emphasizing that the Trinity signifies the triality within one God, not polytheism. It explains the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as creator, redeemer, and sustainer, respectively, and underscores their equality and interconnectedness.
What is the role of the Ecumenical Councils?
The text highlights the historical context and importance of the First and Second Ecumenical Councils in defining core Christian doctrines and shaping ecumenical discourse. These councils are crucial in establishing the understanding of the Trinity and the unity of the Church.
What is the significance of the World Council of Churches' "Confessing the One Faith"?
The World Council of Churches' document, "Confessing the One Faith," serves as a framework for the text, highlighting key ecumenical agreements and their contemporary relevance for interreligious coexistence and dialogue.
What are the key terms associated with this text?
Key terms include: Trinitarian Theology, Ecumenical Councils, Nicene Creed, Unity of the Church, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Interreligious Dialogue, Christian Dogma, Council of Nicaea, Council of Constantinople, Ousia, Hypostases.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section's content, allowing for a quick understanding of the key arguments and findings within each chapter.
What is the intended audience of this text?
The text is intended for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Citation du texte
- Jana Patricia Hemmelskamp (Auteur), 2013, What are the key ecumenical issues raised in the continuing reception of Confessing the One Faith?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278550
