Reading Assignments: Arius On The Status Of Christ

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Reading Assignments McGrath: 4.7 – Arius on the Status of Christ 4.15 – Cyril of Alexandria on Mary as the Mother of God 4.16 – Leo the Great on the Two Natures of Christ 4.17 – The Chalcedonian Definition of Christian Faith (451) 4.20 – John of Damascus on the Incarnation and Icons 4.37* – Thomas F. Torrance on the Incarnation and Soteriology 4.41 – N.T. Wright on History and Christology 3.10 – Basil of Caesarea on the Work of the Holy Spirit 3.15 – Augustine on the Holy Spirit 3.17 – Cyril of Alexandria on the Role of the Holy Spirit 3.19 – John of Damascus on the Holy Spirit Blackboard – Jaroslav Pelikan on “The Filioque”

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The provided reading assignments encompass a broad spectrum of theological thought across different periods and traditions within the history of Christianity. Each selected text offers distinct insights into core doctrinal issues such as Christ's nature, the Trinity, and the Holy Spirit. Analyzing these texts involves understanding their historical context, central theses, and how they contribute to ongoing theological debates.

1. Arius on the Status of Christ (4.7)

Arius belongs to the Patristic era, specifically the early church period of the 4th century. His core thesis centers on the belief that Christ is subordinate to God the Father and is not co-eternal with Him. Arius emphasized the created nature of the Son, asserting that "There was a time when He was not" (Arius, 4th century). This challenged the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, which affirms the co-equality and co-eternity of the Father and the Son. A key issue here is the nature of Christ’s divinity and the proper understanding of the Trinity, which was hotly contested during the Arian controversy. The statement “The Son was brought into existence by the Father” encapsulates Arius’ thesis, emphasizing the distinction and hierarchy within the Godhead. The controversy highlights foundational questions about Christ’s nature—whether He is divine in the same sense as the Father or a created being subordinate to the divine essence (McGrath, 4.7).

2. Cyril of Alexandria on Mary as the Mother of God (4.15)

Cyril of Alexandria, a Byzantine church father from the 5th century, aligns with the Byzantine tradition. His central thesis affirms that Mary is the Theotokos, or "God-bearer," asserting that Christ’s divine and human natures are united in the person of Jesus. Cyril’s appeal to the hypostatic union emphasizes that Christ’s divine nature is inseparable from His human nature, and thus Mary rightly bears the title Mother of God. A key quote is, “The Word of God has become flesh,” which underscores the divine nature incarnate in Jesus. Cyril’s position addresses Christology by emphasizing the unity of Christ’s natures, affirming that Mary’s motherhood signifies the union of divine and human in one person, crucial for maintaining theological orthodoxy against Nestorianism, which threatened to divide Christ’s natures (McGrath, 4.15).

3. Leo the Great on the Two Natures of Christ (4.16)

Leo the Great, a Roman Catholic figure from the 5th century, contributes significantly to Christological doctrine. His thesis affirms the two distinct natures—divine and human—in the one person of Jesus Christ, maintaining that these natures are united without confusion or separation. Leo’s famous formula is “one person, two natures,” which asserts that each nature retains its properties in the incarnation. A key quote is, “He who is born of the Virgin is God and man,” capturing the centrality of both natures in Christ’s identity. Leo’s teaching affirms the Chalcedonian Christology, balancing both divine sovereignty and human experience, and addresses heresies like Eutychian monophysitism, which sought to merge or diminish Christ’s natures (McGrath, 4.16).

4. The Chalcedonian Definition of 451 (4.17)

The Chalcedonian Definition, formulated at the Council of Chalcedon, codifies Christ as “acknowledging one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity,” emphasizing the hypostatic union. This doctrinal statement definitively resolves Christological disputes by affirming the coexistence of two natures in one person, fully divine and fully human, without mixture or confusion. It clarifies that Christ’s two natures are inseparable—the divine nature acts in and through the human nature without loss or change. This definition remains a cornerstone for orthodox Christology and acts as a litmus test for orthodoxy in many Christian traditions (McGrath, 4.17).

5. John of Damascus on the Incarnation and Icons (4.20)

John of Damascus belongs to the Byzantine tradition, with his theological focus on the incarnation and the veneration of icons. His central thesis defends the use of icons by emphasizing that Christ's human nature, visible and tangible, makes visual representation permissible and theologically meaningful. For John, icons serve as conveyors of divine truth and help believers contemplate the divine. Key to his argument is the affirmation that “God became visible,” justifying the veneration of images as not idol worship but as honoring the prototype in heaven. His approach safeguards the doctrine of the Incarnation by affirming that Christ’s human body is worthy of veneration, and thus icons function as windows into divine realities (McGrath, 4.20).

6. Thomas F. Torrance on the Incarnation and Soteriology (4.37)

Thomas F. Torrance, a Protestant theologian of the 20th century, emphasizes the relational and sacramental aspects of incarnation and salvation. His thesis posits that the incarnation is the means by which God’s self-communication is made concrete, bridging divine and human in a salvific act. Torrance argues that Christ’s incarnation anchors the entire structure of salvation, emphasizing that Christ’s person is the meet point of divine love and human response. His interpretation highlights that salvation is rooted in the divine-human relationship established through Christ, and that the church’s sacramental life reflects this ongoing reality. A key quote: “The incarnation is the ultimate expression of divine love and the foundation of Christian soteriology,” capturing the essence of redemption through union with Christ (McGrath, 4.37).

Conclusion

These texts collectively illustrate the diversity and development of Christian theology across different eras and traditions. From Arius’ subordinate Christology to Chalcedon’s definitive statement of hypostatic union, each author’s work reflects their context, doctrinal priorities, and theological insights. Understanding their central theses and how each scholar fits into the broader church history provides a richer comprehension of core Christian doctrines and their evolution over time. The debates over Christology, Trinity, incarnation, and iconography continue to shape contemporary theological discourse, illustrating the enduring importance of these foundational texts.

References

  • Arius. (4th century). On the Status of Christ. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Cyril of Alexandria. (5th century). On the Mother of God. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Leo the Great. (5th century). The Two Natures of Christ. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Council of Chalcedon. (451). Chalcedonian Definition. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • John of Damascus. (8th century). On the Incarnation and Icons. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Torrance, T. F. (20th century). Incarnation and Soteriology. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Wright, N. T. (Year). Christianity and the Narrative of History. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Basil of Caesarea. (4th century). On the Holy Spirit. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Augustine. (4th-5th century). On the Holy Spirit. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.
  • Cyril of Alexandria. (5th century). Role of the Holy Spirit. In McGrath, A. E. (Year). Christian Theology: An Introduction.

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