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.