1. The Ecumenical Councils
Introduction and the First Seven

2. Tradition and Scripture
Reformation period
Question of who should interpret scripture
Sola scriptura

3. Normative Role of Scripture
Redaction of scripture grounded in Apostolic Tradition
Scripture plays normative role in the community
If scripture considered first normative, who interprets it
Interpreter (and compiler of scripture) is therefore first normative

4. What is an Ecumenical Council
Council made up of bishops of the Church
Follows pattern of Apostolic council in Jerusalem
Word “Ecumenical” comes from Greek oikumene
General or universal council

5. Authority
Jesus
Apostles
Individual Bishops
Rule of Faith
Councils

6. Emergence of a Leadership Model
In second century, bishops gathered in provinces to settle disputes
Met in province’s capitals
Bishops of capitals became important figures
Metropolitan (Chief) Bishops
Modelled after Roman Senate

7. First Seven Ecumenical Councils
Nicaea in 325
Constantinople in 381
Ephesus in 431
Chalcedon in 451
Constantinople II in 553
Constantinople III from
Nicaea II (787)

8. Nicaea Called by Constantine Presided over by Constantine
Only bishops had voting rights
Princepus senatus (first bishop)

9. Matters Debated Arius controversy Homousious (Consubstantial)
Clerical discipline
Easter Celebration
Formally solidifying Church structure
Begin to assemble canon of scripture

10. Why was Nicaea so important
Sets precedent
Highest authoritative declaration
Rooted in Tradition

11. Constantinople Revised Nicene Creed
Added “Born of the Father before all ages”
Added clauses about Holy Spirit
Continued to define Canon

12. Council of Chalcedon Defined Hypostatic Union
Rejected other dualist theories about the nature of Christ

13. The Ecumenical Councils
Medieval and Renaissance Councils

14. Tradition
From Latin Tradere
Literally “Passing on”

15. Fourth Council of Constantinople
Holy Roman Empire
Schism between east and west
Iconoclasm

16. Later Medieval Issues Adoption of scholasticism Gregorian Reforms
Canon Law
Monarchy/Papacy conflicts
Formation of the College of Cardinals

17. First Lateran Council
Concordat of Worms
Investiture controversy

18. Renaissance Formation of religious orders Church reform
Three Pope controversy

19. Constance Last time (prior to 2013) that a Pope abdicated
Schism between three popes
Council issued sacrosancta
Pope Martin V eventually elected
If the image of two popes seemed bazar, imagine what three popes (in 1414) must have looked like

20. Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger, Cardinal Bergolio

21. Trent Formally pronounced canon of Catholic scripture
Affirmed list of 7 sacraments
Sacraments have spiritual dimension
Best practices