Rightly defining the Son of God : examining the definition of Chalcedon's conceptual apparatus

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Rightly defining the Son of God : examining the definition of Chalcedon's conceptual apparatus

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title: Rightly defining the Son of God : examining the definition of Chalcedon's conceptual apparatus

creator: Rutherford, James

subject: Council of Chalcedon (451)

subject: Jesus Christ -- humanity

subject: Jesus Christ -- divinity

description: Abstract reads : "Against the background of recent discussion of perceived problems within the Definition of Chalcedon, with reference to its conceptual apparatus, and of the growing body of literature on the Acta of Chalcedon, this thesis has sought to investigate the conceptual apparatus of the Definition of Chalcedon. It has sought to identify its contours and whether there are problems present. To do so, the thesis first establishes the interpretive approach the Acta furnish for the Definition, namely, three interpretive strategies given for understanding the Definition. These strategies are then employed, tracing key terminology and their attendant concepts through the 4th-century authorities indicated by the Acta (Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea, and Gregory of Nazianzus) and the two conciliar letters of Cyril (The Second Letter to Nestorius and The Letter to John of Antioch) with the support of Leo’s Tome. The concepts of universality and particularity are chosen as the objects of investigation because of their central importance to the debates of the prior centuries and because they are the source of the problems identified by contemporary authors. The fruit of this investigation is then applied to the Definition, with the conclusion that there is indeed a conceptual problem in the Definition. The Definition sought to present itself as an application of the Nicene Creed, interpreted by select 4th-century fathers, to the debates of the previous decades concerning the incarnation of the Son. In doing so, it juxtaposed two ontological apparatuses that are not readily reconciled, namely, the account of a derivative essence used for the Trinity, by which three hypostases could be said to have one being or nature (ousia, phusis), and the logical account of two natures, by which one hypostasis could be said to have two essences or natures (ousia, phusis). Potential resolutions drawn from the following centuries and contemporary discussion are evaluated without finding an adequate resolution."Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 The Definition within the Acts of ChalcedonChapter 3 Conceptual Apparatuses of 4th-Century Greek TheologyChapter 4 The Conceptual Apparatus of Cyril's Conciliar LettersChapter 5 The Conceptual Apparatus of Leo's TomeChapter 6 The Conceptual Apparatus of the Definition of ChalcedonChapter 7 ConclusionThesis examining the relationship between the humanity and divinity of Christ, as explored and discussed at the Council of Chalcedon.

publisher: Moore Theological College

date: 2023-07-01

type: Text

source: glacier

language: English

coverage: 2023-07-01

coverage: 2023-07-31

rights: In copyright: Date of publication plus 70 yearsThis item may be used for the purposes of research and study. Please acknowledge that it is held by Moore Theological College.This digital item is accessible online to all.

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format: pdf

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