Transcript The Trinity: Unpacking the Nicene Creed

The Trinity: Unpacking the
Nicene Creed
4th Century Christianity
The Council of Nicaea
Document # TX001187
Big Changes in the 4th Century
• Christianity is growing, and becoming more influential.
– Emperor Constantine who controlled the western part of the
Roman Empire, and Licinius, who controlled the Balkans, met
in Milan and agreed to treat the Christians benevolently.
• THE EDICT OF MILAN 313: an agreement by the
Emporer(s) of the Rome that legitimatized
Christianity – ie made it a authorized religion.
Constantine Helps the Chruch
• After the Edict of Milan, Constantine continues to
help Christianity grow:
– He gives back all property stolen from Christians during
the great persecutions.
– Under the influence of Helena, his mother, he builds a
huge basilica over the tomb of St. Peter.
– He declared Sunday, the Lord’s Day, a Roman Holiday
– Banned some forms of “Pagan Worship”
• Within 50 years, Christianity becomes the official
religion of the Roman Empire.
The Canonization of the Bible.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARdwIWDnE90
• Canon = a measuring stick or official list.
• Criteria:
– Were these texts in use?
– Were they written by Apostle or in line with
Apostles Teaching.
• Did they contain accurate information?
The Council of Nicaea
• In 325 the Leaders of the Church met to talk
about the Arian Heresy.
– Over one hundred bishops met to discuss the growing
Arian movement.
– Ultimately the Arian Heresy was condemned. But it
continued on until the end of the 4th Century.
• It was put to rest by another Council at Constantinople in 381.
• Read page 91 and notice that councils become an important
part of maintaining the Truth of Christian Teaching.
Adoption of the Nicene Creed
What Is a Creed?
• a summary statement of beliefs
• a profession of faith
What Is the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is the
summary statement of
Christian belief that was
originally formulated at the
First Council of Nicaea in AD
325. It was revised and
promulgated at the Council
of Constantinople in AD 381.
Image in public domain
The Nicene Creed
In the next slides, the lines of the Nicene Creed are displayed
one at a time.
Take a moment to reflect on what image of the Trinity is being
expressed in each slide: God the Father, God the Son, or God
the Holy Spirit.
Each slide has a question or questions for reflection.
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• Which Person(s) of the Trinity is being described? What
does this mean?
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• Which Person(s) of the Trinity
is being described? What does
this mean? What is
consubstancial mean?
• Which Person(s) of the Trinity
is being described? What does
this mean?
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• Why is it important that Jesus
dies?
• Which Person(s) of the Trinity
is being described? What does
this mean? Why is important
that he is “incarnate” not just
born?
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• What does this mean? Why
“accordance” instead of
“fulfillment”
• Which Person(s) of the Trinity
is being described? What does
this mean?
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• Which Person(s) of the
Trinity is being described?
What does this mean?
• Why phrase this statement like above?
Why not, “with the Father and the Son
He is worshiped…” The same happens
below.
• Why add this to the Creed?
The Nicene Creed (cont.)
• What does this line mean?
• What does this line mean?
Why a little “c” catholic
here?
• What does this line mean?
How Does the Nicene Creed Explain the Trinity?
• emphasizes Jesus’ divinity and humanity
• describes the relationship of the Son as “one in
being with” the Father
The Trinity: Unpacking the Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is an expression of the Trinity, an
expression of faith.