Council of Chalcedon, 451: Resource Materials

The fourth ecumenical council, held in Chalcedon in AD 451, attempted to bring resolution to the heated Christological and trinitarian debates that had racked the first half of the fifth century. Producing what would become the Church's most concise Christological definition, the council did not itelf end the discussions, but rather became the reference point for a new period of debate. This area assembles together a number of texts and materials related to the council.

Council of Ephesus, 431: Resources Materials

The third ecumenical council, held at Ephesus in AD 431, is often considered to be the first of two highly Christologically-orientated councils (the second being that at Chalcedon in 451). This resource area assembles a number of texts and materials on this council.

An introduction to the Christology Study Area

A brief introduction to this web site's resources on the patristic Christological debates of the fourth and fifth centuries AD.

'Who do you say that I am?' An introduction to patristic christology

An article introducing the subject of patristic Christology, and the nature of patristic reflections on Jesus Christ in experiential and theological terms.

Christology Study Area

A central study area on Christology in the patristic period. This area includes a large number of texts from the period, studies on specific individuals involved, historical overviews, conciliar documents, and a number of other resources.

The spirit of exile and the sin of man

A consideration of the issues of sin, 'fall', and humanity's sinful condition, grounded in the parable of the Prodigal Son and the theme of exile in the Lenten liturgical texts.

'Two Schools': Alexandria and Antioch

An investigation of what are often termed the 'two schools' of Alexandria and Antioch, characterising two approaches to scriptural imagery and Christological definition in the patristic period.

Severus of Antioch's objections to the Council of Chalcedon: a re-assessment

This study explores the nature of Severus' objections to the Christological definition of the council of Chalcedon, and re-assesses the relationship of those objections to broader concerns.

A world full of Arians

A study of the Arian debate and Trinitarian controversies in the period from AD 360-380, when various post-Arian groups were vying for influence in a turbulent ecclesiastical and theological climate.

Modelling the Trinity after the man

Using the Cappadocian Epistle 38 as a grounding-point, this study explores the relationship of trinitarian articulations to anthropological discussions in the fourth century AD.