Gregory of Nazianzus was born into a Christian family in Cappadocia. His father, bishop of Nazianzus, gave Gregory an intense religious education. He studied in Caesarea, Caesarea Philippi, Alexandria, and Athens.
Gregory taught rhetoric in 356 AD and dedicated himself to asceticism and caring for his parents. A friend convinced Gregory to join him at a monastery in where Gregory excelled in monastic life.
Soon, Gregory was caught up in church political wrangling. However, not wanting to replace his father as bishop of Nazianzus, he took solace at a monastery in Seleucia.
The Council of Nicea
After the Council of Nicaea in 325, conflicts over Christ’s identity continued. Sabellius taught the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were the same person playing different roles (modalism). Apollinarius believed Jesus was a human with a divine soul, making him only partially human. Those who believed Jesus was fully human and fully divine were losing ground, and they called on Gregory for help.
Oneness of the Godhead
Gregory defended the oneness of essence and threeness of persons of the Godhead against subordinationism, tritheism, and modalism. He equated eternality with divinity and said a created being cannot be divine. Therefore, created beings cannot bring salvation.
The Council of Constantinople
These concepts laid the groundwork for the Council of Constantinople in 381. Bishops from across the empire discussed the issue. In the end, the consensus was that Jesus was fully human and fully God (Col 2:9). It also stated that the Holy Spirit was fully divine. Gregory contended, “What was not assumed was not healed,” meaning whatever aspect of humanity (body, soul, spirit) that Son did not assume at the incarnation could not have been redeemed by his death. Jesus needed to be fully human to save humanity.
The ancient church councils were not inspired and had no real bearing on Truth. For those following the New Testament, the decisions of councils and bishops have no authority. However, they do offer clarification and refinement of language and understanding on the theology of the New Testament.
Today, the concept of being fully God and fully man is innocuous, but there was a time it was considered heresy. Thankfully, men like Gregory helped explain and refine important biblical concepts.
Preaching Minister