The Council of Constantinople (AD 553): Background
Prof. Douglas Kuiper examines the historical and doctrinal background leading to the Council of Constantinople (AD 553), focusing on the Christological controversies that persisted after Chalcedon, particularly Monophysitism and its relationship to earlier heresies like Nestorianism and Eutychianism. This article traces how the church's understanding of Christ's person and natures developed through successive councils and the various false doctrines that arose to challenge orthodox Christian teaching.
The Creed of Chalcedon set forth the doctrine of the person and natures of Jesus Christ as fully as any creed or council had done. Surely, one might think, that creed would put an end to all controversy regarding Christ's person and natures. But it was not so; the controversy continued. The controversy had to continue, in God's providence. For one thing, Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide the church into all truth (John 16:13). By AD 451 the church had not yet been led into all truth,...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org