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Cyril of Alexandria's Christology Insights

Sep 11, 2024

Lecture Notes: Cyril of Alexandria and Christology

Key Figures and Context

  • Cyril of Alexandria:

    • Composed great work on the unity of Christ.
    • His struggle against Nestorianism was approved by the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431.
    • Known for his biblical studies and theological defense of the true Christ.
  • Nestorius:

    • Proposed division where Christ was two persons, leading to denial of Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer).
  • Theological Conflicts:

    • Arianism: Diminished Christ before the incarnation.
    • Nestorianism: Diminished Christ in the incarnation.

Core Concepts

  • Theotokos:

    • Debate over Mary bearing God in her womb.
    • Nestorius denied this; Cyril affirmed it.
  • Unity of Christ:

    • Cyril emphasized the unity of Christ while maintaining both divine and human natures.
    • "Christ is God and man, not two sons."
    • Importance of the name "Emmanuel" - God with us.
  • Economy of Salvation:

    • Cyril argued that Christ's incarnation was essential for salvation.
    • "The Word became human, maintaining His divine nature."

Ecumenical Councils and Christology

Council of Nicaea (325)

  • Condemned Arianism, affirming the son's divine nature.

Council of Constantinople (381)

  • Consolidated divine Christology and pneumatology.
  • Addressed heresies about Christ’s humanity.
  • Gregory of Nazianzus: "What he has not assumed, he has not healed."

Council of Ephesus (431)

  • Approved Cyril’s theology and condemned Nestorius.
  • Affirmed Christ as one person in two natures.

Council of Chalcedon (451)

  • Reaffirmed Cyril's teachings.
  • Condemned Eutyches for proposing one nature post-incarnation.

Constantinople II (553) & III (680)

  • Focused on Christ's unity and two wills.
  • Maximus the Confessor advocated for Christ having both a divine and human will.

Theological Clarifications

  • Hypostatic Union:

    • Unity of divine and human natures in Christ.
    • Antiochian vs. Alexandrian views reconciled over time.
  • Communication of Natures:

    • Refers to ascribing divine and human actions to the one Christ.
  • Orthodox Soteriology:

    • Orthodoxy depends on the unity and natures of Christ.
    • Salvation available through union with Christ.

Conclusion

  • Ecumenical councils affirmed key Christological doctrines.
  • The person of Christ and his dual nature underpin salvation.
  • Orthodox Christology is integral to understanding the Gospel.
  • Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, who is fully divine and fully human.