The Bible teaches us about the importance of church history. In Eph 4:11–12, Paul explains that Christ gave to the church “pastors and teachers” to “build up the body of Christ.” This gift from Christ is both contemporary and historic. Many teachers have come before us, and in obedience to this passage we should listen to them.
One specific teacher Christ gave to the church who you should know about was Athanasius of Alexandria (298–373). A fierce defender of Scripture, Athanasius battled the heretic Arius (256–336). Arius taught that Christ was created, not sharing full equality with God. While he taught that Christ was “like God,” Arius rejected that Christ was “of the same substance” as the Father. In view of the trouble caused by Arius’ teaching, Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 for further reflection on Christ’s divine status. Athanasius, along with many other early Christian pastors, unified around the common belief “in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, that is, of the substance of the Father, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of the same substance [homoousios] with the Father.” Arius and his followers lost the debate, with his name and his teaching cemented as heresy.
The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of Nicaea, and this occasion serves as a reason to reflect and rejoice. Many criticize Christianity based on Nicaea. However, Christians have nothing to fear of Nicaea and much to be thankful for. We have such a rich inheritance of history that aids Christian discipleship. Our faith is true, and history shows that! May the Lord raise up more defenders and champions of Christ as “the Word who became flesh” from CBC (John 1:14).
Pastor Chance Sumner
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