The Arian Controversy

First published in 1988, The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God is still considered by many scholars to be the finest work on the Arian Controversy. Examining scholarly works on the Controversy and many original texts, Professor Hanson, provides a clear understanding of how the traditional and historic doctrine of God as the Holy Trinity reached its most mature and enduring form. The author is not primarily concerned to defend the orthodox position itself, but rather to discover and examine the formation of that orthodoxy. The history of the events - the Councils, the interventions of the Emperor, the rivalries of sees, the behaviour of bishops, the varying fortunes of the different schools of thought and their leaders - is interwoven with the progression of thought and doctrine during the sixty years of the Controversy. Professor Hanson sees the problem of the reconciliation of two concepts which were both part of the very fabric of Christianity - monotheism and the worship of Jesus Christ as divine.

"The Arian Controversy: Christianity's Forgotten Crossroads" by Alexander L. Varus delves into the intricate theological battles that shaped early Christianity. This enlightening book uncovers the riveting tale of Arianism, a belief that challenged the divinity of Jesus Christ, igniting one of the most significant theological disputes in church history. Varus guides readers through the tumultuous fourth century, from fervent debates among church leaders to the pivotal decisions at the Council of Nicaea that laid the foundation for Christian orthodoxy. With meticulous research and engaging narrative, "The Arian Controversy" shines a light on a critical yet overlooked juncture in Christian history, whose impact resonates to this day.

Is it true, as has often been claimed in recent years, that there was no real controversy in the period immediately following the Council of Nicaea? Sara Parvis, in this lively and meticulous study, argues not. She shows that the two opposing parties which had formed in support of Alexander of Alexandria and Arius in the years before Nicaea continued their activities afterwards, targeting one another with ruthless zeal at a series of synods which may look neutral but are revealed to be demonstrably partisan. Only the deaths of all the original party leaders except Marcellus of Ancyra, and the rise of Athanasius, broke the impasse which followed and allowed new political and theological configurations to form.

In Ignatius of Antioch and the Arian Controversy, Paul R. Gilliam III contends that the legacy of the second-century martyr Ignatius of Antioch was alive and well during the fourth century as Nicene and Non-Nicene proponents fought for their understanding of the relationship of the Son to the Father.

This volume explores the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the patristic church as a result of the Arian controversy: Arius -- Letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia Arius -- Letter to Alexander of Alexandria Alexander of Alexandria -- Letter to Alexander of Thessalonica The Synodal Letter of the Council of Antioch, A.D. 325 The Creed of the Synod of Nicaea (June 19, 325) The Canons of Nicaea, A.D. 325 Eusebius of Caesarea -- Letter to His Church concerning the Synod at Nicaea Arius -- Letter to the Emperor Constantine Athanasius -- Orations against the Arians, Book 1 Gregory of Nazianzus -- Third Theological Oration concerning the Son Gregory of Nyssa -- Concerning We Should Think of Saying That There Are Not Three Gods to Ablabius Augustine of Hippo -- On the Trinity, Book 9

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Arian Controversy" by Henry Melvill Gwatkin. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Arianism is extinct only in the sense that it has long ceased to furnish party names. It sprang from permanent tendencies of human nature, and raised questions whose interest can never perish. As long as the Agnostic and the Evolutionist are with us, the old battlefields of Athanasius will not be left to silence. Moreover, no writer more directly joins the new world of Teutonic Christianity with the old of Greek and Roman heathenism. Arianism began its career partly as a theory of Christianity, partly as an Eastern reaction of philosophy against a gospel of the Son of God. Through sixty years of ups and downs and stormy controversy it fought, and not without success, for the dominion of the world. When it was at last rejected by the Empire, it fell back upon its converts among the Northern nations, and renewed the contest as a Western reaction of Teutonic pride against a Roman gospel.