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We live in a world filled with “i”Stuff: iPads, iPhones, and iTunes. Ahhh…the power of “i.”
But long before Steve Jobs and Apple Inc. built their kingdom on “i,” Christian theologians argued over the simple letter to salvage true Christian doctrine from heresy.
In the 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, a rabid dispute broke out in Christian circles over the relationship the Word (Jesus) had with the Father. Historical documents claim that people in major cities couldn’t even ask for change or buy bread without being engaged in a heated argument over whether Jesus was equal with God, or created by God.
Well, that’s a HUGE difference, and something had to be done. So in 325 AD, Emperor Constantine issued all living bishops an all-expense paid trip to Nicea (present day Turkey), to hash out the argument and put an end to the division in the church (which he considered more dangerous than war).
On one side of the debate, the Arians used the Greek word “homoiousios” to claim Jesus was only “similar” to God, not the “same” as God. In short, they believed Jesus was created by God. (Their belief was wrong, but Arianism as it is now called, was a wildly popular view of Jesus, as well as a major plague on the early church.)
On the other – and correct – side of the fence was an equally passionate group of bishops, led by Athanasius, who claimed the Word (Jesus) was “of one substance” with God, in other words, the exact “same” as God. They didn’t think God created Jesus, because they rightly believed God was Jesus, and vice versa! The Greek word encapsulating their stance was “homoousios.”
Notice that the only difference between those two Greeks words is a single letter: i.
Talk about splitting fine hairs! In the rules of grammar, that single little “i” is nothing more than a diphthong, meaning “two sounds.” (To hear what a diphthong sounds like, pronounce the words “toilet” or “soil.”)
That simple little “i” the Arians wanted to use to describe Jesus carried an enormous amount of weight! If the Arians had won the dispute, the church would only see Jesus as a creation of God, instead of God Himself!
But thanks to the persistence of ancient bishops and their attention to the Bible, today’s believers have a correct view of Jesus. In fact, that view is outlined in what we now call the Nicene Creed, the affirmation that came out of the Council of Nicea.
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Resource’s Origin:
Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley. Word Publishing, 1982, Pages 99-104.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Bible
Bishop
Church
Doctrine
God (Nature Of)
Heresy
History
Jesus
Theology
Truth
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
