Arianism

Arianism is a theological doctrine attributed to Arius, a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, in the early 4th century. This belief system centered on the nature of Jesus Christ and His relationship with God the Father, fundamentally challenging orthodox Christian teachings about the Trinity. Arianism holds that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is not co-eternal or consubstantial with God the Father. Rather, it asserts that the Son was a created being, subordinate to the Father, and therefore not divine in the same sense as God.

Key Beliefs of Arianism

1. Subordination of the Son:
   • Arius taught that Jesus, the Son of God, was created by the Father and did not exist eternally. According to Arianism, there was a time "when the Son was not," suggesting that Jesus had a beginning and was not co-eternal with God the Father.
   • This means that Jesus, while an extraordinary and elevated being, was ultimately subordinate to God the Father and thus did not share in the same divine nature.
2. The Concept of Creation:
   • Arianism posits that Jesus was the first and greatest creation of God, through whom all other things were made. The Son, therefore, was understood as a kind of "superior creature" who was divine in a derivative sense but did not possess full divinity or oneness with God.
   • Arius used passages such as Proverbs 8:22-31, where Wisdom is described as being created by God, as a basis for his view, interpreting the passage to apply to Christ as the "Wisdom" of God.
3. Rejection of Homoousios:
   • The term homoousios, meaning "of the same substance," became central to the debate. Arianism denied that the Son was homoousios with the Father, arguing instead that He was homoiousios ("of similar substance") or simply a separate being created by God.
   • Arians argued that this distinction preserved the absolute transcendence of God the Father, making it impossible for anyone else, even the Son, to share His unique divine essence fully.
4. Interpretation of Jesus’s Humanity:
   • Arians emphasized the humanity of Jesus, arguing that because Jesus was created and had a beginning, He was able to fully experience human emotions, suffering, and limitations.
   • They believed that Jesus was more relatable to humankind in this way, as opposed to orthodox doctrines that emphasized His equal divinity with the Father.
5. Theological Implications for Salvation:
   • According to Arian theology, since Jesus was created and subordinate to the Father, His role in salvation was as a moral example and intermediary rather than as a fully divine redeemer.
   • This view undermined the orthodox understanding of Jesus as fully divine and thus fully capable of reconciling humanity to God.

Historical Context and Spread of Arianism

Arianism emerged during a time when Christian doctrine was still being formalized. The early Church was attempting to clarify the nature of Christ and His relationship to God the Father, and debates on the subject were heated and widespread. Arius’s views found both strong support and strong opposition among early Christians, reflecting the broader diversity of theological perspectives within the early Church.

Arianism gained popularity across the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, particularly because of its support from influential bishops and thinkers. The doctrine’s appeal was further bolstered by its resonance with a monotheistic emphasis on the singular supremacy of God the Father. The views spread widely, especially in North Africa, where Arius initially preached, and found acceptance in many communities and even among some bishops and members of the clergy.

The Council of Nicaea and the Condemnation of Arianism

In 325 CE, Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea specifically to address the Arian controversy. The council brought together bishops from across the Christian world to discuss and resolve theological disputes that were threatening the unity of the Church.

At the Council, Athanasius of Alexandria and other bishops argued against Arius, defending the view that Jesus was fully divine and co-eternal with the Father. The Council ultimately rejected Arianism, declaring it heretical, and produced the Nicene Creed, which explicitly affirmed the Son's co-equality and consubstantiality (homoousios) with the Father. The creed asserted that Jesus was "begotten, not made" and "of one substance with the Father," establishing the orthodox Trinitarian doctrine that continues to be a core tenet of mainstream Christianity.

Later Developments and Persistence of Arianism

Despite its condemnation, Arianism persisted for centuries, especially among various groups in the Eastern Church and in parts of the Western Roman Empire. Many Gothic and Germanic tribes who converted to Christianity adopted Arian beliefs due to the influence of Arian missionaries. For example, the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Vandals were Arian Christians, even after Arianism was largely marginalized within the Roman Empire.

In the late 4th century, however, the First Council of Constantinople in 381 CE reaffirmed the Nicene Creed and expanded upon it, leading to a decline in Arian influence within the Roman Empire. By the 6th and 7th centuries, Arianism had largely been suppressed, although remnants persisted among certain Germanic tribes until their eventual integration into Nicene Christianity.

Legacy of Arianism

Arianism was one of the first major theological controversies in Christian history and led to the formal establishment of orthodox Christian doctrines about the Trinity and the nature of Christ. The controversy over Arianism prompted the Church to define its beliefs more clearly, resulting in creeds and councils that established a foundation for Christian orthodoxy.

The Nicene Creed remains a cornerstone of Christian theology, and the struggle against Arianism is often viewed as a significant moment in the Church's efforts to maintain doctrinal unity. Although Arianism as a formal doctrine faded, debates on the nature of Christ and the Trinity have continued to resurface in various forms throughout Christian history, illustrating the lasting impact of Arian ideas on theological discussions and the development of Christian thought.