Theological Term of the Week: Arianism

Arianism
A heresy which holds that the Son is a created being through whom the world was made, but who is not co-eternal or of the same being as the Father.

• Scripture (and Jesus) refuting Arianism:
  

  I and the Father are one. (John 10:30 ESV)

• From the Nicene Creed, refuting Arianism:
  

  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
  the only son of God,
  eternally begotten of the Father,
  God from God, Light from Light,
  true God from true God,
  begotten, not made,
  of one being with the Father.

• From T. C. Hammond in In Understanding Be Men, pages 55-56::
  

  Although holding that God was one, [Arius] placed so much emphasis on his teaching concerning the Persons of the Trinity that in effect he divided the Substance of the Godhead. This resulted chiefly from his definition of the Son and the Holy Spirit as being lesser, subordinate Beings whom the Father willed into existence for the Purpose of acting as His Agents in His dealings with the world and man. In effect, Arius reduced our Lord (and the Spirit) below the level of strict deity. He would admit his deity in a secondary sense, but denied His eternal Sonship, allowing that His being preceded the foundation of the world, but was not co-eternal with the Father. The disciples of Arius, by teaching that the Spirit was brought into existence by the Son, reduced Him to a relative form of deity (in a tertiary sense).
  
  In recent centuries there have been movements such as Unitarianism…and certain modern cults which, although varying in other respects, possess one opinion which is common to them all, that the Godhead consists in one single person, which necessitates assigning to our Lord and the Holy Spirit some nature and position less than that of true deity. This is one of the most important battle-grounds in the history of the church, and no true Christian should for one moment tolerate any description of our Master other than that which assigns to Hm the fullest deity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. While, at first sight, it may not seem so obvious, the Christian must equally contend for the full deity of the Holy Spirit.

Learn more:

1. GotQuestions: What is Arianism?
2. Justin Holcomb: Arianism: It’s Teaching and Rebuttal
3. Ligonier Ministries: Arianism
4. Banner of Truth: Arianism
5. Rev. Ronald Hanko: The Arian Controversy, Part 1, The Arian Controversy, Part 2

Related terms:

• adoptionism
• docetism 
• modalism

Filed under Defective Theology and Trinity

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Sunday's Hymn: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

—Charles Wesley

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent at The Happy Wonderer 

Selected Reading, November 26, 2021

 

It’s been so long since I’ve done one of these, so some of these links are a bit already. Still, here are a few theologically rich recommendations for your weekend reading.

In the Beginning

Does It Really Matter Whether Adam Was the First Man?
Yes, it does, and it matters a whole lot. 

The historical reality of Adam is an essential means of preserving a Christian account of sin and evil, a Christian understanding of God, and the rationale for the incarnation, cross, and resurrection. 

This is a very thorough argument, and outstanding piece. (I might have one very minor quibble, but it doesn’t take away from his argument at all.) 

The Word Became Flesh

A Glorious Doctrine with a Silly Name
If that title doesn’t make you want to check out this article, nothing I add here will, either.

Apollinarianism
When I update the Theological Term for Apollinarianism (it’s on my to-do list), I’ll link this from Simply Put. But you don’t have to wait. You can read it right now.