The Arian Controversy and the First Council of Nicaea - Essay Example

Mainstream Christianity relied on various passages in scripture, but primarily on the Gospel according to John, where it is written:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) And as their textual proof, the Arians pointed to Corinthians 8:5-6, where it is written:“Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth — as in fact there are many gods and many lords — yet for us there is one God (Gk.

theos - θεος), the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord (kyrios - κυριος), Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (NRSV)The controversy was submitted for decision to all the Christian bishops at the First Council of Nicaea, which is generally regarded as the First Ecumenical Council.  The Council decided overwhelmingly to uphold the divinity of Christ.  The vote of an estimated 250-318 attendees was nearly unanimous to adopt the view that Christ was God as well as man, with only three votings for the Arian position that Christ was not God.

  Arian teaching thus became heresy.