Nicene Christianity
Nicene Christianity refers to the form of Christianity that aligns with the theological beliefs articulated in the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and later expanded at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. This creed has become foundational for many Christian denominations and serves as a unifying declaration of faith.
List of Catholicism Terms
Catholicism > Baptism, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Faith, Nicene Christianity, Salvation, Theodosius I
List of Prominent Figures
Syncretic Terms
Nicene Christiianty > Catholicism
Related LP Terms
Non-LP Related Terms
Notes
Overview
Main Doctrinal Points:
Trinity: Central to the Nicene Creed is the affirmation of the Trinity – God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The creed asserts the full divinity of Jesus Christ, stating that he is "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father."[1]
Christ's Incarnation: The creed emphasizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ, stating that he "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man."
Christ's Role in Salvation: The Nicene Creed underlines Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, essential events in Christian soteriology.
Key Figures:[2]
Constantine the Great: As the Roman Emperor, Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea, providing an environment for bishops to address the Arian controversy and other theological issues.[3]
Athanasius of Alexandria: A staunch opponent of Arianism, Athanasius played a pivotal role in promoting and defending Nicene Christianity during its formative years.[4]
The Cappadocian Fathers: This trio of theologians (Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa) contributed to the refinement and defense of Nicene theology, especially in the East.[5]
Presence in Christianity Today:
Nicene Christianity remains foundational for the majority of Christian denominations, from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to many Protestant traditions. The Nicene Creed is regularly recited in liturgical settings, serving as a testament to the enduring importance of its theological formulations in contemporary Christian worship and belief.
Footnotes
- ↑ Kelly, J.N.D. Early Christian Creeds. London: Continuum, 1972.
- ↑ Note their social class background.
- ↑ Barnes, Timothy D. "Constantine and the Christians of Persia." The Journal of Roman Studies 75 (1985): 126-136
- ↑ Anatolios, Khaled. Athanasius: The Coherence of his Thought. London: Routledge, 2004
- ↑ McGuckin, John Anthony. The Cappadocian Fathers and the Struggle for Orthodoxy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004
