Adoptionism Was Condemned As Inconsistent with the Personal Union of the Two Natures in Christ
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Early Church Fathers and Adoptionism
Early Church Fathers and Adoptionism Sample statements Because of the nature of adoptionism its central question inevitably is when did humanity blend with divinity? (All emphasis added). Shepherd of Hermas (dated from AD 85-165) "The Holy Pre-existent Spirit. Which created the whole creation, God made to dwell in flesh that he desired. This flesh, therefore, in which the Holy Spirit dwelt, was subject unto the Spirit, walking honorably in holiness and purity, without in any way defiling the Spirit. When then it had lived honorably in chastity, and had labored with the Spirit, and had cooperated with it in everything, behaving itself boldly and bravely, he chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit; for the career of this flesh pleased [the Lord], seeing that, as possessing the Holy Spirit, it was not defiled upon the earth. He therefore took the son as adviser and the glorious angels also, that this flesh too, having served the Spirit unblamably, might have some place of sojourn, and might not seem to have lost the reward for its service; for all flesh, which is found undefiled and unspotted, wherein the Holy Spirit dwelt, shall receive a reward." Theodotus via Hippolytus of Rome (d. AD 235) Refutation of All Heresies, Book VII, Chapter 23. “The Heresy of Theodotus” “But there was a certain Theodotus, a native of Byzantium, who introduced a novel heresy. He announces tenets concerning the originating cause of the universe, which are partly in keeping with the doctrines of the true Church, in so far as he acknowledges that all things were created by God. -
Agobard of Lyon, Empire, and Adoptionism Reusing Heresy to Purify the Faith
Agobard of Lyon, Empire, and Adoptionism Reusing Heresy to Purify the Faith Rutger Kramer Institute for Medieval Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria ABSTRACT — In the late eighth century, the heterodox movement Adoptionism emerged at the edge of the Carolingian realm. Initially, members of the Carolingian court considered it a threat to the ecclesiastical reforms they were spearheading, but they also used the debate against Adoptionism as an opportunity to extend their influence south of the Pyrenees. While they thought the movement had been eradicated around the turn of the ninth century, Archbishop Agobard of Lyon claimed to have found a remnant of this heresy in his diocese several decades later, and decided to alert the imperial court. This article explains some of his motives, and, in the process, reflects on how these early medieval rule-breakers (real or imagined) could be used in various ways by those making the rules: to maintain the purity of Christendom, to enhance the authority of the Empire, or simply to boost one’s career at the Carolingian court. 1 Alan H. Goldman, “Rules and INTRODUCTION Moral Reasoning,” Synthese 117 (1998/1999), 229-50; Jim If some rules are meant to be broken, others are only formulated once their Leitzel, The Political Economy of Rule Evasion and Policy Reform existence satisfies a hitherto unrealized need. Unspoken rules are codified – and (London: Routledge, 2003), 8-23. thereby become institutions – once they have been stretched to their breaking 8 | journal of the lucas graduate conference rutger Kramer point and their existence is considered morally right or advantageous to those in a 2 Alan Segal, “Portnoy’s position to impose them.1 Conversely, the idea that rules can be broken at all rests Complaint and the Sociology of Literature,” The British Journal on the assumption that they reflect some kind of common interest; if unwanted of Sociology 22 (1971), 257-68; rules are simply imposed on a group by an authority, conflict may ensue and be see also Warren C. -
JOSEPH SMITH SABELLIANISM and MORMON BELIEF
JOSEPH SMITH SABELLIANISM and MORMON BELIEF R. L. Pratt 2012 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express particular gratitude to the following, whose insights and original research have contributed to my understanding of these matters. Ronald V. Huggins Boyd Kirkland Clyde D. Ford Grant Palmer David Persuitte Thomas G. Alexander I would also like to thank Richard Packham for his encouragement and helpful advice. (See Bibliography for details) 2 FOREWORD "Sabellianism" is a big word for a simple concept. It refers to the theological proposition that God the Father and Jesus Christ are identical in person. In other words, that Jesus Christ is the Father incarnate. This particular concept has deep roots in the history of Christianity. (I explain this briefly on pp.8-9 of this paper.) Much evidence proves that Joseph Smith believed in a Sabellian-type theology throughout the early years of his career, and that this Sabellian belief system permeates the Book of Mormon. Mormons refuse to recognize this fact. They will dispute this point and refute the allegation. Today they believe that Father and Son are distinctly separate individuals.....what most Mormons don’t realize is; this was not always the case. The avowed purpose of this paper is to show "How Joseph Smith's early theological beliefs as expressed in the Book of Mormon contradict and undermine the credibility of his First-Vision story." In order for me to do that, I must first prove to a skeptical Mormon audience that Joseph Smith's early beliefs were in fact.... and without any question..... Sabellian in nature. -
Wesleyan Spirit-Christology
Wesleyan Spirit-Christology: inspiration from the theology of Samuel Chadwick Full version of a paper presented at the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, August 2018 by George Bailey, [email protected] Lecturer in Mission and Wesleyan Studies, Cliff College, Derbyshire, UK Presbyteral Minister in Leeds North and East Methodist Circuit, UK Introduction This paper explores the theology of Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932) and demonstrates that within it there is a Spirit Christology in a Wesleyan framework. Spirit Christology has been the subject of theological investigation in recent decades, with proposals being made for ways to add to or adapt the more dominant Logos Christologies of the Western theological tradition so that the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus in the Gospels, and in the experience of Christians, can be better accounted for.1 Chadwick’s theology is brought into debate with this more recent conversation, and is found to be in many ways in line with the Spirit Christology being proposed. This is not an aspect of Chadwick’s theology that has been given attention previously and new suggestions are made as to his place in the tradition of Wesleyan theology. In the process, Chadwick’s sources are considered, including the ways that he draws on a Wesleyan theology of perfection, mid to late nineteenth century language of Pentecost and baptism of the Spirit, early twentieth century liberal Protestant theological work, and his potential relationship with the seventeenth century puritan, John Owen. Most academic interest in Chadwick to date has focused on more practical issues. However, although Chadwick was primarily concerned with holiness and evangelism, it was only by the work of Holy Spirit that he experienced these being effective in his life and the life of churches, and consequently the Holy Spirit constituted the main content of his teaching to prepare people for evangelism. -
The Heirs of Alcuin: Education and Clerical Advancement in Ninth-Century Carolingian Europe
The Heirs of Alcuin: Education and Clerical Advancement in Ninth-Century Carolingian Europe Darren Elliot Barber Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Leeds Institute for Medieval Studies December 2019 ii The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. iii Acknowledgements I wish to thank my supervisors, Julia Barrow and William Flynn, for their sincere encouragement and dedication to this project. Heeding their advice early on made this research even more focused, interesting, and enjoyable than I had hoped it would be. The faculty and staff of the Institute for Medieval Studies and the Brotherton Library have been very supportive, and I am grateful to Melanie Brunner and Jonathan Jarrett for their good advice during my semesters of teaching while writing this thesis. I also wish to thank the Reading Room staff of the British Library at Boston Spa for their friendly and professional service. Finally, I would like to thank Jonathan Jarrett and Charles West for conducting such a gracious viva examination for the thesis, and Professor Stephen Alford for kindly hosting the examination. iv Abstract During the Carolingian renewal, Alcuin of York (c. 740–804) played a major role in promoting education for children who would later join the clergy, and encouraging advanced learning among mature clerics. -
The Provenance of John Milton's Christian Doctrine
SEL 34 (1994) ISSN 0039-3657 Forum II: Milton's Christian Doctrine The Provenance ofJohn Milton's Christian Doctrine: A Reply to William B. Hunter MAURICE KELLEY As scholars have determined it during the past century and a half, the provenance of the Christian Doctrine should invite no suspicion of Milton's authorship. Instead it confirms it. The treatise originated in Milton's youthful collection of proof texts and his perusal of certain shorter systems of theology.' By the 1640s, Edward Phillips reports, his uncle was dictating to him and his fellow students portions of a "Tractate which he thought fit to collect from the ablest of Divines, who had written of that subject: Arnesius, Wollebius. &c. viz. A perfect System of Divinity, of which more hereafter."2 Phillips, however, failed to keep his promise of more information about "A perfect System," but the Anonymous Biographer (Cyriack Skinner) reports that about 1655 Milton began "the framing a Body of Divinity out of the Bible . which . hee finished after the Restoration."3 Our manuscript of the Christian Doctrine confirms Cyriack's rough dating, for the primary hand in it is that ofJeremie Picard, who served as witness or scribe in Milton documents dating from January 1658 to May 1660;4 and Cyriack's mention of Milton's heterodoxies5 indicates Maurice Kelley is Emeritus Professor of English, Princeton University. 154 REPLY TO HUNT E R that he is writing of the Christian Doctrine that we have today. Parallels between the treatise and Paradise Lost as well as between it and Milton's Art of Logic, not published until 1672,6 confirm Milton's authorship of the systematic theology. -
Early-Christianity-Timeline.Pdf
Pagan Empire Christian Empire 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 1 AD Second 'Bishop' of Rome. Pupil of Student of Polycarp. First system- Bishop of Nyssa, brother of Basil. Pope. The Last Father of the Peter. Author of a letter to Corinth, atic theologian, writing volumi- Bishop of Original and sophisticated theologi- model of St Gregory the Church. First of the St John of (1 Clement), the earliest Christian St Clement of Rome nously about the Gospels and the St Irenaeus St Cyprian Carthage. an, writing on Trinitarian doctrine Gregory of Nyssa an ideal Scholastics. Polymath, document outside the NT. church, and against heretics. and the Nicene creed. pastor. Great monk, and priest. Damascus Former disciple of John the Baptist. Prominent Prolific apologist and exegete, the Archbishop of Constantinople, St Leo the Pope. Able administrator in very Archbishop of Seville. Encyclopaedist disciple of Jesus, who became a leader of the most important thinker between Paul brother of Basil. Greatest rhetorical hard times, asserter of the prima- and last great scholar of the ancient St Peter Judean and later gentile Christians. Author of two St Justin Martyr and Origen, writing on every aspect stylist of the Fathers, noted for St Gregory Nazianzus cy of the see of Peter. Central to St Isidore world, a vital link between the learning epistles. Source (?) of the Gospel of Mark. of life, faith and worship. writing on the Holy Spirit. Great the Council of Chalcedon. of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Claimed a knowledge and vision of Jesus independent Pupil of Justin Martyr. Theologian. -
Religión Y Política En El Leviatán La Teología Política De Thomas Hobbes
Universidad de Chile Facultad de Filosofía Escuela de Postgrado Departamento de Filosofía Religión y Política en el Leviatán La teología política de Thomas Hobbes. Un análisis crítico Tesis para optar al Grado Académico de Doctor en Filosofía con mención en Moral y Política Autor: Jorge A. Alfonso Vargas Profesor Patrocinante: Fernando Quintana Bravo Santiago, marzo 2011 Agradecimientos . 4 Dedicatoria . 5 I.-Introducción . 6 Metodología . 14 I.- LA IDEA DE RELIGIÓN (EW III, 1:12) . 16 1.- El Origen de la Religión: Las Causas Naturales y Psicológicas. 16 2.- Religión y Política . 21 3.- La Verdadera Religión . 26 II.- La República Cristiana II (EW III, 3, 32-41) . 36 1.- El Gobierno de Dios . 36 2.- El Reino de Dios . 39 3.- El Libro de Job como Clave Hermenéutica . 44 4.- Las Leyes de Dios: Deberes y Derechos, Honor y Deshonor . 47 5.- Los Atributos Divinos y la Posibilidad de una Teología . 52 III.- De la República Cristiana II (EW III, 3: 32) . 64 1.- Ciencia y Religión . 64 2.- La Política Cristiana y la Palabra de Dios . 69 3.- La Visión Materialista del Cristianismo . 79 4.- El Reino de Dios Nuevamente . 103 5.- La Iglesia . 105 6.- Los Profetas y el Pacto . 109 7.- El Reino de Dios según Hobbes . 119 8.- El Dominio Real de Cristo y el Poder Eclesiástico . 122 9.- El Poder Civil y la Obediencia Debida . 127 10.- El Poder Soberano . 136 11.- La Misión de los Reyes-Pastores . 142 12.- La Autoridad para Interpretar las Escrituras . 148 IV.-De lo Necesario para ser recibido en el Reino Celestial (E W III, 3,43) . -
Ecumenical Councils Preparing for Next Week (Disciple 6–Eucharist 1)
January St. Dominic’s RCIA Program Disciple The Church: 15 History & Teaching 4 Goal • Having switched the Disciple 4 & 5 weeks, we looks at an overview of the Sacraments last week (Disciple 5), and explored the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. These Sacraments are two of the three that initiate us into the Church community, and into Christ’s body and mission. This week we’ll continue to unpack the meaning of Church by looking broadly at its history one the last 2000 years. We’ll also explore it’s role as Teacher. How does the Church function in and through history? How does God walk with the Church through it all? Agenda • Welcome/Housekeeping (10) • Questions & Answers • Introduction to the Rosary (15) Discussion (15): • If the Church is The Body of Christ, what does this mean for Christ’s presence in the world through history and in the world today? • What do I admire about the Catholic Church’s activity in history? Does any part of the Church’s activity in history disturb or upset me? • How do I (might I) listen to what the Church has to say today? What is my approach/attitude to the Church as “Teacher”? • Presentation: The Church: History (35) • Break (10) • Presentation: The Church: Teaching & Belief (30) • Discussion (time permitting): • What is special to this moment in history? • What is the Good News of Christ & the Church that speaks to this moment in history? • How can the body of Christ proclaim & witness the Gospel and walk with others today? Housekeeping Notes • Rite of Acceptance: February 10th at the 11:30am and 5:30 Masses. -
Prudentius of Troyes (D. 861) and the Reception of the Patristic Tradition in the Carolingian Era
Prudentius of Troyes (d. 861) and the Reception of the Patristic Tradition in the Carolingian Era by Jared G. Wielfaert A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of History University of Toronto © Copyright by Jared Wielfaert 2015 Prudentius of Troyes (d. 861) and the Reception of the Patristic Tradition in the Carolingian Era Jared Gardner Wielfaert Doctor of Philosophy Department of History University of Toronto 2015 ABSTRACT: This study concerns Prudentius, bishop of Troyes (861), a court scholar, historian, and pastor of the ninth century, whose extant corpus, though relatively extensive, remains unstudied. Born in Spain in the decades following the Frankish conquest of the Spanish march, Prudentius had been recruited to the Carolingian court under Louis the Pious, where he served as a palace chaplain for a twenty year period, before his eventual elevation to the see of Troyes in the 840s. With a career that moved from the frontier to the imperial court center, then back to the local world of the diocese and environment of cathedral libraries, sacred shrines, and local care of souls, the biography of Prudentius provides a frame for synthesis of several prevailing currents in the cultural history of the Carolingian era. His personal connections make him a rare link between the generation of the architects of the Carolingian reforms (Theodulf and Alcuin) and their students (Rabanus Maurus, Prudentius himself) and the great period of fruition of which the work of John Scottus Eriugena is the most widely recogized example. His involvement in the mid-century theological controversy over the doctrine of predestination illustrates the techniques and methods, as well as the concerns and preoccupations, of Carolingian era scholars engaged in the consolidation and interpretation of patristic opinion, particularly, that of Augustine. -
Heresy Handout: a Convenient Guide to Eternal Damnation
Heresy Handout: A Convenient Guide to Eternal Damnation Christianity from its inception had difficulty maintaining its tenets in a population as diverse as Europe's. Strange mutations of Christianity kept popping up and they had to be reintegrated into the mainstream church. The "official" standard of belief is orthodoxy. On the other hand, heresy (or heterodoxy) refers to "unofficial" beliefs conflicting with the doctrine of the church fathers. Heresy becomes an actual crime under the Theodosian Code (438 A.D.), and being a heretic means damnation according to medieval thinkers. Most heresies fall into four general tendencies: (1) Dualistic heresies argued that two equally powerful spirits--a benevolent deity and a malevolent counterpart--were in constant warfare to control the universe. In orthodox medieval Christianity, the church fathers interpreted Satan as a being inferior to God. The devil--though rebellious--is merely a fallen angel who carries out God's will (i.e., he only torments or tempts humanity when God allows him to, á la Job). Dualistic heresies tended to see the two forces as equals, and many argued that the material world was entirely evil, in contrast with the orthodox position that the creation of God was “good, but fallen.” (2) Antinomianism covers any heresy that suggests an individual's religious experience outweighs the authority of church hierarchy, its scripture, or canon law. Arguing the scriptures are self-contradictory is also considered antinomianism. (3) Docetism occurs in any heresy that suggests that Christ was a being of pure spirit rather than having a corporeal body. Thus he never really "died" on the cross. -
RCIA, Session #06: Major Heresies of the Early Church
RCIA, Session #06: Major Heresies of the Early Church Adoptionism A 2nd-3rd century heresy that affirmed that Jesus’ divine identity began with his baptism (God adopted the man Jesus to be his Son, making him divine through the gift of the Holy Spirit). It was advocated by Elipandus of Toledo and Felix of Urgel, but condemned by Pope Adrian I in 785 and again in 794. When Peter Abelard (1079-1142) renewed a modified form of this teaching in the twelfth century, it was condemned by Pope Alexander III in 1177 as a theory proposed by Peter Lombard. Apollinarianism Heretical doctrine of Appolinaris the younger (310-90), Bishop of Laodicea, that Christ had a human body and only a sensitive soul, but had not rational mind or a free human will (i.e., Jesus was not fully human). His rational soul was replaced by the Divine Logos, or Word of God. The theory was condemned by Roman councils in 377 and 381, and also by the 1st Council of Constantinople in 381. Arianism A fourth century heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Its author was Arius (256-336), a priest of Alexandria who in 318 began to teach the doctrine that now bears his name. According to Arius, there are not three distinct persons in God, co-eternal and equal in all things, but only one person, the Father. The Son is only a creature, made out of nothing, like all other created beings. He may be called God by only by an extension of language, as the first and greatest person chosen to be divine intermediary in the creation and redemption of the world.