The Council of Constantinople (AD 381): Necessary to address other Christological heresies
Douglas Kuiper examines the Council of Constantinople (AD 381) and its condemnation of Christological heresies, particularly Sabellianism/modalism, which incorrectly explained how Christ is God while denying the distinct personhood of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This article defends the orthodox understanding of the Trinity against false explanations that emerged even among those who correctly affirmed Christ's divinity. The resource provides historical context and doctrinal clarification useful for understanding early church responses to heretical theology.
The first ecumenical council was held in Nicea in 325; the second in Constantinople in 381. We note three reasons why a second council was necessary. Our last article (July 2020) noted that the church had to defend Nicea's teaching that Christ is truly God because some continued to deny it. A second reason, which we consider now, is that some who defended Nicea's doctrine of Christ's divinity proceeded to give wrong explanations for how He is God. The Council of Constantinople was needed to...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org