What evidence is there that the original framers of the 325 Nicene Creed intended it to be read in subordinationist ways?
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“’Subordinationism’, it is true was pre-Nicene orthodoxy” [Henry Bettenson, The Early Christian Fathers p. 239.]. RPC Hanson (The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God, p. xix.) even wrote:
> “With the exception of Athanasius virtually every theologian, East and
> West, accepted some form of subordinationism **at least up to the year**
> **355.**”
If Hanson is right, then the delegates at Nicaea, who accepted the Nicene Creed, must have read that creed as consistent with their subordinationist views. The creed starts with the words:
> “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty ... And in one Lord Jesus
> Christ.”
This seems to exclude the Son as that “one God” and as “Almighty.” But the creed goes on to describe the Son as:
> "God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God … homoousion with
> the Father"
This seems to describe the Son as equal with the Father and would be inconsistent with Hanson’s statement that the delegates at Nicaea were subordinationists. For that reason, I ask: What evidence is there that the original framers of the 325 Nicene Creed intended it to be read in subordinationist ways?
Asked by Andries
(1962 rep)
Dec 23, 2021, 07:40 AM
Last activity: Jul 5, 2024, 10:47 AM
Last activity: Jul 5, 2024, 10:47 AM