The Living Church Podcast Learning from Nicaea with Lewis Ayres
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Jan 16, 2025 
Lewis Ayres, a distinguished scholar of early Christian theology, celebrates the 1700th birthday of the Council of Nicaea. He discusses Nicaea's pivotal role in defining Christian identity with its foundational statement of faith. Ayres explores the complexities of the Father-Son relationship and the grammar of Nicene theology. He also examines the pastoral impacts on worship and the need for thoughtful language in catechesis. Ultimately, Ayres reflects on Nicaea's enduring legacy and the humility required when interpreting such a historically significant council.
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Nicaea As Identity-Defining Moment
- The Nicene Council produced a statement of faith that defined belief for the majority of Christians worldwide.
- It became an identity-defining and providentially venerated event shaping later doctrinal authority.
Creedal Grammar Plus Metaphysics
- The Nicene Creed sets grammatical limits on theological speech while also asserting positive metaphysical claims about God.
- It insists on a sharp boundary between Creator and creation and rejects degrees of divinity.
Rethinking Divine Generation
- Nicaea focuses on how the Son comes from the Father and rejects material or temporal models of generation.
- This required new theological language for oneness and threeness within the divine unity.
