Who was Arius and what did he teach about Jesus?

250, Libya—died 336, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey]), Christian priest whose teachings gave rise to a theological doctrine known as Arianism. Arianism affirmed a created, finite nature of Christ rather than equal divinity with God the Father and was denounced by the early church as a major heresy.

What was the Arian controversy about?

The Arian controversy was a series of Christian disputes about the nature of Christ that began with a dispute between Arius and Athanasius of Alexandria, two Christian theologians from Alexandria, Egypt. Ironically, his effort were the cause of the deep divisions created by the disputes after Nicaea.

What are the teachings of Arius?

Arius taught that Jesus Christ was divine/holy and was sent to earth for the salvation of mankind but that Jesus Christ was not equal to God the Father (infinite, primordial origin) in rank and that God the Father and the Son of God were not equal to the Holy Spirit.

What was Arius doing when he died?

Starting in the 360s ce , numerous late ancient sources began to report that Arius’ death was the result of explosive gastrointestinal problems he suffered in the city of Constantinople while he was attempting to negotiate admittance to the church there.

What is the major teaching of the heresy of Arianism all about?

Arianism in Christian theology, the main heresy denying the divinity of Christ, originating with the Alexandrian priest Arius (c. 250–c. 336). Arianism maintained that the son of God was created by the Father and was therefore neither coeternal nor consubstantial with the Father.

What is the major teaching of Arianism?

Arianism teaches that the Holy Spirit was created by God the Father with the help of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is of separate substance and entity from God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son and is subservient to both.

What did Tertullian teach?

Tertullian emerged as a leading member of the African church, using his talents as a teacher in instructing the unbaptized seekers and the faithful and as a literary defender (Apologist) of Christian beliefs and practices.

What was arius doing when he died?

Who hit Arius?

According to some accounts in the hagiography of Nicholas of Myra, debate at the council became so heated that at one point, Nicholas struck Arius across the face.

What did arius argue?

Arius argued for the supremacy of God the Father, and maintained that the Son of God was simply the oldest and most beloved Creature of God, made from nothing, because of being the direct offspring.

How was the Arian controversy resolved?

The decision in favour of the Athanasian view at Nicaea did not immediately end the controversy. For more than a century the church wavered; the Council of Ariminum (359) all but reversed Nicaea, and the emperor in Constantinople turned the Athanasian majority into a minority.