

Did the Early Church Believe Jesus Was God?
Feb 20, 2025
Dr. George Kalantzis, a Theology Professor at Wheaton College, dives into the historical intricacies of the Nicene Creed and its implications on early Christian beliefs. He tackles misconceptions about the Council of Nicaea, debunking myths of coercion by Constantine and the idea that the Bible was invented there. The conversation sheds light on the clash between Roman masculinity ideals and the vulnerability of Jesus, as well as the fierce theological debates that shaped doctrines and the development of the New Testament canon.
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Pre-Nicaea Belief in Jesus' Divinity
- Early Christians worshiped Jesus as God well before the Council of Nicaea convened.
- The Nicene Creed did not invent Jesus' divinity but formalized the existing belief.
Suffering God Challenges Roman Norms
- The idea of a suffering God was countercultural in the Greco-Roman world.
- Roman culture viewed Christianity as effeminate because Jesus humbled himself instead of grasping power.
Arius' Christological Challenge
- Key theological debates centered on whether Jesus was co-eternal with God or a created being.
- Arius challenged the traditional view, arguing Jesus was created, sparking controversy.