In this episode Prof. Dale Tuggy reviews the so-called “Fourth Creed” from the council of Antioch—or a group soon after it—which is a actually a letter from eastern bishops assembled there to their western brethren, to explain their views about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Learn why the writers of the creeds from Antioch are called by historians “Eusebians,” and a little about the lives of Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260-340) and Eusebius of Nicomedia (d. 342).
This “Fourth Creed” was offered as a non-controversial, “big tent,” ecumenical summary of faith. And surprisingly, given its initial reception, its language ended up being re-used several times after, as catholics struggled to replace the language of Nicea with something more widely acceptable. This is why I call it “the recycled creed.” If you count the initial one, it was used half a dozen times, the latest being in 359. But like many re-usable goods, it could not be reused ad infinitum.
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Author: Dale Tuggy
Keywords: trinitarianism, Tri-unity, Pre-existent word, hypostasis, Trinity, Trinitarian, Deity of Christ, Deity of Jesus, Triunity, Arianism, Arian, Triune, Christology, Christologies, Jesus is divine, Christ is divine, God in three persons, divinity of Jesus, divinity of Christ, Eusebius of Nicomedia, Eusebius, Eusebius of Caesarea, Fourth Creed, Creed, Council of Antioch, Nicene Creed, Constantine, Constantine the Great, Arians, Arian Controversy, Athanasius
Bible reference(s): John 10:30
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