The Council of Chalcedon (451) The background
Douglas Kuiper provides historical context for the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (451), examining the theological developments and church-political tensions that necessitated a clearer statement on Christ's person and natures. This article traces the progression from Nicaea through Ephesus, explaining why a more precise creed was needed to resolve ongoing Christological debates and establish orthodox consensus on the relationship between Christ's divine and human natures.
The First Ecumenical Council, that of Nicea, met in 325. Fifty-six years later (381), the second one met in Constantinople. Fifty years later (431), the third Council met in Ephesus. But only twenty years elapsed between the third Council and the fourth, which convened in 451 in Chalcedon. Perhaps twenty years between councils seems like a long time; after all, we are used to annual synods. But remember that provincial and regional councils met more often. Between ecumenical councils, which...
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