What was the heresy of Arianism?

The great fourth-century heresy, originated by Arius, a presbyter in the church of Alexandria. Arius postulated that Christ was created by God from nothing, from which he reasoned that the Son is not co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, but is subordinate to God, and a changeable creature.

Who were the Arians and what did they believe?

Arianism, in Christianity, the Christological (concerning the doctrine of Christ) position that Jesus, as the Son of God, was created by God.

Was Constantine an Arian?

Constantine himself leaned toward Arianism later in his reign, and his eventual successor, his son Constantius, was openly Arian.

What did Arius really believe?

Arius taught that Jesus Christ was divine/holy and was sent to earth for the salvation of mankind but that Jesus Christ was not equal to God the Father (infinite, primordial origin) in rank and that God the Father and the Son of God were not equal to the Holy Spirit.

What does the term Arian mean?

-ar·i·an. Definition of -arian (Entry 4 of 4) 1 : believer necessitarian : advocate latitudinarian. 2 : producer disciplinarian.

What is the origin of Arianism?

Heresies: Arianism. The doctrine known as Arianism actually began early in the 3rd century, and was the product of speculation into the nature of Christ. It became one of the hottest issues in the early Church — even more than Gnosticism, as Arianism many adherents, and was closer in nature to the “orthodox” Literalism of the time.

Is Arianism the successor of Christianity?

Arianism. The two interpretations initiated a broader conflict as to which belief was the successor of Christian theology from its inception. The former was formally affirmed by the first two Ecumenical Councils, and in the past several centuries, Arianism has continued to be viewed as “the heresy or sect of Arius”.

Is Arianism Gnosticism?

Arianism is often mistaken for a form of Gnosticism; but at no time did Paul of Samosata, Arius of Alexandria, or any of their successors teach a secret, mystical doctrine of the Gnostic style. Arianism was a form of Literal Christianity (as opposed to Gnostic).

Is Jesus God according to Arianism?

If Jesus is like God, then he is not true or fully God, and anything less than God is not God. Therefore, according to Arianism, Jesus is not God. It follows, then, that Jesus merely models salvation because God did not save in Jesus. Salvation does not flow from Calvary, but its best example is found there.⁸