Council of Chalcedon

The lecture discusses the ongoing debates about Christology, focusing on the incarnation of Jesus and the conclusions reached at the Council of Chalcedon. It begins by reviewing the affirmations of the Council of Nicaea and Constantinople regarding the divinity of the Trinity and the personhood of the Son. The lecture then explores various teachings, including those of Arius, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Nestorius, that attempted to explain the relationship between the divine and human natures of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of the doctrine of salvation, highlighting that Christ's purpose was to save humanity, not merely to provide an example or grace-filled path for human achievement. The lecture also touches on Pelagianism, which emerged concurrently, and its contrast with the teachings of Cyril and the broader church consensus on human inability and divine intervention for salvation.

This paragraph delves into the theological controversies that arose following the Council of Ephesus, particularly the teachings of Nestorianism and its rejection by the church. It describes how the church sought to counteract the extreme positions of both Nestorians and their opponents by promoting a balanced understanding of Christ's dual nature. The paragraph outlines the efforts of Cyril and John of Antioch to reconcile differing views, but notes that their deaths in the 440s led to a resurgence of extreme positions. It discusses the rise of Eutyches and his teachings, which suggested that Christ's humanity was completely absorbed by his divinity, leading to a radical monophysitism that the church found unacceptable. The Council of Constantinople in 448 and the subsequent 'Robber Council' of Ephesus in 449 are highlighted as key events in these debates, with the latter being condemned for its political and personal motivations rather than theological integrity.

The Council of Chalcedon is the focus of this paragraph, detailing its importance in establishing a definitive Christology amidst ongoing theological disputes. The council aimed to quell the extremism on both sides of the debate by setting clear theological boundaries. It nullified the decisions of the second Council of Ephesus, which had been influenced by political motivations, and accepted Leo's Tome, which emphasized the unity of Christ's personhood while maintaining the distinct natures of his divinity and humanity. The council introduced the Chalcedonian Creed, which affirmed that Christ was 'consubstantial' with the Father in his divine nature and with us in his human nature, without attempting to philosophically reconcile the two. The council's decisions were meant to bring peace to the church by providing a clear and concise understanding of Christ's nature, emphasizing the biblical narrative of salvation through Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection.

In conclusion, the paragraph summarizes the key takeaways from the first four ecumenical councils, emphasizing the centrality of the doctrine of salvation in Christian theology. It reiterates that the councils sought to maintain a balance in understanding Christ's dual nature, avoiding the extremes of subordinationism and monophysitism. The councils aimed to limit theological speculation by adhering to the essential biblical language and narratives, focusing on the fact that Jesus, being both fully God and fully human, died for our sins. The paragraph underscores the importance of these councils in shaping the church's language and understanding of Christology, ensuring that the gospel message of salvation through Christ remains clear and uncompromised.