Arianism

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Constantine burning Arian books

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Arian Baptistry ceiling mosaic - Ravenna

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Christian states 495 AD (en)

Arianism is a Christian heresy that was first attributed to Arius (c. AD 256–336), a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt. Arianism asserts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was created by God the Father at a point in time, is distinct from the Father, and is therefore subordinate to the Father. Arianism is a significant departure from traditional Christian theology, particularly in its understanding of the Trinity, which posits a co-equal and co-eternal relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

History

The origins of Arianism can be traced back to the early 4th century. Arius began teaching that the Son of God was created by the Father and therefore had a beginning, unlike the Father. This view was in direct opposition to the prevailing understanding of the Trinity. The controversy quickly spread, leading to the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, convened by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The council condemned Arius's teachings and produced the Nicene Creed, affirming the co-eternity and co-equality of the Son with the Father.

Despite the council's condemnation, Arianism continued to spread, especially among the Germanic tribes through the efforts of Ulfilas, a missionary who translated the Bible into Gothic. The Goths, and later other Germanic peoples, carried Arian Christianity with them as they moved throughout Europe.

Beliefs

Arianism holds several key beliefs that distinguish it from mainstream Christian doctrine:

• The Son was created by the Father and therefore had a beginning.
• The Son is distinct from the Father and is not co-eternal or co-equal.
• The Son was created as the means through which the Father created the universe.
• Jesus, as the incarnate Son, was a perfect creature but was not divine in the same sense as the Father.

Impact and Decline

Arianism had a significant impact on the early Christian Church and the development of Christian doctrine. The controversy led to the establishment of the Nicene Creed, which became a foundational statement of Christian orthodoxy. Despite its initial spread, Arianism began to decline in the late 4th and early 5th centuries, particularly after the Council of Constantinople in AD 381, which reaffirmed the Nicene Creed and further condemned Arianism.

In the following centuries, Arianism was gradually suppressed and marginalized within the Christian world. However, its influence persisted among some of the Germanic tribes until the 8th century. The last significant Arian kingdom, that of the Visigoths in Spain, converted to Nicene Christianity in the early 6th century under King Reccared I.

Legacy

The legacy of Arianism lies in its role in prompting the early Church to clarify and codify its teachings on the nature of Christ and the Trinity. The controversy highlighted the need for a clear and unified doctrine that could be universally accepted by Christians. Arianism also serves as a reminder of the diversity of beliefs and interpretations that existed within early Christianity.

See Also

• Nicene Creed
• First Council of Nicaea
• Council of Constantinople
• Ulfilas
• Goths
• Visigoths