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First Short Paper: Nicene Christianity
In this short paper (800-1,000 words, dbl. spaced, standard 12-point font), you will explain the major Christological perspectives that were discussed in the Ecumenical Councils of the fourth and fifth centuries (the Councils of Nicaea, Constantinople, and Chalcedon).
The Controversy
First, drawing from your course texts, briefly discuss the controversy over the deity of Jesus (approx. 250-300 words).
- What were the positions of the different parties (concentrate on their views about Christ)?
- Why did they hold these views?
The Outcome
Second, describe the outcome of these councils, including the “Chalcedonian Definition” (approx. 250-300 words).
- What conclusions were reached at Nicaea and the subsequent councils?
- Why did they reach them?
- What difference did these specific conclusions make in the life of the church?
Application and Analysis
Third, apply what you have learned to your contemporary Christian fellowship/church experience (approx. 300-400 words). Possible questions for your reflection in this third section would be:
- What is the Christology (the understanding of who Christ is) of your contemporary Christian fellowship/church?
- How does this Christology compare or contrast with Nicene orthodoxy?
- How does your Christian fellowship/church adherence or departure from Nicene orthodoxy affect the message of salvation (and it does!)?
- Why should (or shouldn’t) the thinking of contemporary Christians be/ become aligned with the Nicene Creed?
- Writing: All papers and essays must follow the writing style format required by the degree specialty for which they are being written. The writing style to be used in this course is APA. Students will find the following book helpful: A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007) Turabian, Ka
te L., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and Wayne C. Booth, eds. (ISBN-13: 9780226823379).
