Agere Sequitur Esse

Council of Chalcedon

A Christological term referring to
the fourth of several ecumenical councils.

Martinus, P. M.

Definition

The Council of Chalcedon convened between October 8–25 in 451 AD. The convention not only resulted in the repudiation of Eutychian and Nestorian monophytism, but also the acceptance of both the divine and human aspects of Christ’s person. This council built on a foundation laid by Justin Martyr and Cyril of Alexandria whose words centered the Logos squarely in the center of Christ’s humanity. (D. Fairbairn 2017b, 165–166).

Reflections

This term was selected by CCU (2019) in consideration of “its importance to Christian theology.” The selection was intended to answer two key questions. First, in response to whether the Chalcedonian definition resolved the Christological dilemma (CCU 2019), I do not think it worked because there were three more councils on similar matters that followed the fourth (Wikipedia 2019). If the matter was resolved, then there would not have been any further councils. Second, in response to the Chalcedonian definition not resolving the Christological dilemma (CCU 2019), I think the resulting inability to settle the matter was inevitable due to the inevitability of differential opinions. Like water, people will continue to search out and exploit every possible doctrinal crack, regardless.

Refs.

1. Colorado Christian University: CCU. 2019. “Assignment Folder: Session 2 My Personal Lexicon.” CCU (Courseroom). Accessed November 23, 2019, from https://blackboard.ccu.edu
2. Fairbairn, D. 2017b. Evangelical Theological Dictionary: Chalcedon, Council Of. 3rd ed. Edited by Trier, Daniel J. and Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
3. Wikipedia. 2019. “Wikipedia: Ecumenical Council.” Wikimedia Foundation. Last modified November 16, 2019, 08:56. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenical_council