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.
An introduction to the Christology Study Area.
The present study area on Monachos.net is meant as a resource for those wishing to learn more about the Christological discourse and disputes of the fourth and fifth centuries (the so-called 'Christological Controversy') and their importance to the development of the Church's doctrinal consciousness. The area is structured primarily as a patristic and source investigation, with secondary data offered by Orthodox writers on various related subjects. In its current form, revised for 2005, the area is divided as follows.
Contents of the Christology Study Area
Part I: Background - A History of the Controversy. Includes essays introducing the era, the question and object of Christology, the essential theological and historical principles 'at play' in the height of the discussion, and other related introductory and background materials.
Part II: Key Personalities in the Discussion. Includes historical biographical information on the key personalities of our period, with the texts of their writings made available in English translation. A brief synopsis of each individual's life and role in the Christological discussion is offered on the main page; clicking on the individual's name will take the reader to a more detailed area, including further biographical information and links to texts.
Part III: The Church Responds to Nestorius: The Council of Ephesus. Principal texts from the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, as well as studies on the importance and influence of this council.
Part IV: The Incarnational Mystery More Fully Defined: The Council of Chalcedon. Texts and proceedings of the Council of Chalcedon, 451, including its central Definition of the Faith. This area also includes an essay on the nature of the debate at Chalcedon, and precisely what was at stake in its deliberations.
Part V: The Aftermath of Chalcedon: Separation and Schism. Studies on the reaction to Chalcedon by Egyptian monastics, as well as the Coptic, Syrian and Armenian churches. Further examinations of the post-Chalcedonian schism, historically and in the modern day.
Part VI: Contemporary Discussion - A Possible Rapprochement? The final section of the study area examines the current situation between the Orthodox and Oriental churches, focusing more closely on the renewed discourse of the modern day. Included in this section is information on the Joint Commissions held by these two bodies over the past twenty years.
Conventions used throughout the Christology Study Area
Throughout the Christological Controversy Study Area, an arrow symbol is used to indicate a link pointing to a resource outside the Monachos.net website (i.e., on another server).
Bibliographies of printed texts and studies on specific individuals are included in their sub-pages.
You are invited to discuss any aspects of patristic Christology and themes arising from this study area, in the Study Area's dedicated Christology discussion area on the Monachos.net Discussion Community. Participation is possible without registration as a guest reader, but fuller access and functionality is available by registering for a free discussion community account.
Finally, with regard to the present-day discussion of rapprochement between the Orthodox and non-Chalcedonian churches, it is not the purpose of this study area to endorse either a 'pro-' or 'con-' viewpoint on the deliberations, though both views will be expressed through the writings of various contributors. Rather, it is intended that a patristic and conciliar introduction to the matters of doctrine themselves be presented, from which judgments can be made in light of the fathers and councils.
