1. Nestorius and Cyril

2. Background Nicea Nicea Arius condemned Arius condemned Son is of the same substance (homo-ousios) as the Father Son is of the same substance (homo-ousios) as the Father Does not end the debate Does not end the debate Arian bishops, emperors continue Arian bishops, emperors continue Objections to Nicea Objections to Nicea “homoousios” not biblical “homoousios” not biblical Sounds Sabellian; better to say Son is of like substance (homoi- ousios) Sounds Sabellian; better to say Son is of like substance (homoi- ousios) Is divine Logos the soul of Christ? Is divine Logos the soul of Christ?

3. Nestorius (ca. 381-451) Agrees with Nicea Agrees with Nicea Chidester, 143: all agreed on divinity of Christ, but differed in views of Christ’s humanity Chidester, 143: all agreed on divinity of Christ, but differed in views of Christ’s humanity Bishop of Constantinople, 428-431 Bishop of Constantinople, 428-431 eastern capital of the Roman empire and one of the five major churches eastern capital of the Roman empire and one of the five major churches Provokes a major controversy by objecting to a popular liturgical practice: why? Provokes a major controversy by objecting to a popular liturgical practice: why?

4. Terms Nature (Greek: Physis): what all beings of a species share. Can only exist as instantiated in a person. Nature (Greek: Physis): what all beings of a species share. Can only exist as instantiated in a person. Example: Human nature, dog nature, divine nature Example: Human nature, dog nature, divine nature Person (Greek: Hypostasis): individual instantiation of a nature. Person (Greek: Hypostasis): individual instantiation of a nature. A person must also have a nature; nature only exists as instantiated in persons. A person must also have a nature; nature only exists as instantiated in persons. Example: Paul and Mattea; Rover and Fluffy Example: Paul and Mattea; Rover and Fluffy

5. Theotokos controversy Liturgy: people called Mary “the God-bearer” (Grk. Theotokos) Liturgy: people called Mary “the God-bearer” (Grk. Theotokos) Lex orandi, lex credendi: The law of prayer shapes the law of belief Lex orandi, lex credendi: The law of prayer shapes the law of belief Nestorius objects to theotokos: why? Nestorius objects to theotokos: why? God was not born at a point in time God was not born at a point in time Need to distinguish human and divine natures of Christ Need to distinguish human and divine natures of Christ Like Athanasius, just as Logos suffered “in the flesh”, so Christ, not God, was born of Mary Like Athanasius, just as Logos suffered “in the flesh”, so Christ, not God, was born of Mary Must be careful with language to avoid heresies (God suffers) Must be careful with language to avoid heresies (God suffers)

6. Cyril of Alexandria (ca. 375-444) Bishop of Alexandria Bishop of Alexandria Ambitious Ambitious Wanted to assert Alexandria’s authority over Constantinople Wanted to assert Alexandria’s authority over Constantinople Cyril defends theotokos. Issue: who is the subject/person in Jesus, the Word Incarnate? Cyril defends theotokos. Issue: who is the subject/person in Jesus, the Word Incarnate? CC 27: While remaining God,, the Logos took on, became subject of, human life CC 27: While remaining God,, the Logos took on, became subject of, human life Once human and divine have been united, cannot be separated, because there is one subject Once human and divine have been united, cannot be separated, because there is one subject Hypostatic union: two natures united in one person Hypostatic union: two natures united in one person Union is essential to salvation—why? Union is essential to salvation—why? Cyril misrepresents Nestorius Cyril misrepresents Nestorius

7. Results Ephesus, 431 Ephesus, 431 Affirms Theotokos Affirms Theotokos Nestorius resigns as bishop Nestorius resigns as bishop 431-451: debate continues, Pope Leo I steps in 431-451: debate continues, Pope Leo I steps in 451: Council of Chalcedon settles problem 451: Council of Chalcedon settles problem Provides conceptual and terminological precision Provides conceptual and terminological precision Yet, plenty of room for thought and debate remain Yet, plenty of room for thought and debate remain But, Nestorian churches still exist But, Nestorian churches still exist

8. For next time Pope Leo I Pope Leo I What ideas (of Eutyches) does Leo reject, and why? What ideas (of Eutyches) does Leo reject, and why? How does he define person and natures? How does he define person and natures? Council of Chalcedon (451) Council of Chalcedon (451) In what ways does the council strike a middle ground between Cyril and Nestorius? In what ways does the council strike a middle ground between Cyril and Nestorius? How does the council try to balance discussion of human and divine natures? How does the council try to balance discussion of human and divine natures?