What is Nestorianism?
Nestorianism is a Christological doctrine attributed to Nestorius, who was the Patriarch of Constantinople in the early 5th century. Nestorianism is characterized by the belief that Jesus Christ had two separate persons—one divine and one human—rather than a single, unified person with two natures. This doctrine was seen as a significant deviation from orthodox Christian teachings and was condemned as heretical at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. The controversy surrounding Nestorianism played a crucial role in the development of the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, which affirms that Christ is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human, without confusion, change, division, or separation.
Biblical Foundations
Scriptural Response to Nestorianism
The Bible affirms that Jesus Christ is one person who possesses both a fully divine nature and a fully human nature. Nestorianism’s emphasis on the separation of these natures into two distinct persons is inconsistent with the biblical portrayal of Christ.
- The Unity of Christ’s Person: The New Testament presents Jesus as a single, unified person who is both God and man. The idea that Christ’s divinity and humanity are somehow divided into two persons is not supported by Scripture.
- John 1:14 (NIV):
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This verse affirms that the Word (the divine Logos) became flesh, indicating the union of divine and human natures in the one person of Jesus Christ.
- Colossians 2:9 (NIV):
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
Paul emphasizes that the fullness of God dwells bodily in Christ, supporting the orthodox view of Christ’s unified person.
- John 1:14 (NIV):
- Jesus’ Self-Identification: Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks and acts as a single, unified person. His statements and actions reflect the integration of His divine and human natures, not a division between them.
- John 10:30 (NIV):
“I and the Father are one.”
This statement reflects the unity of Jesus’ divine identity, which is incompatible with the Nestorian view of Christ as two separate persons.
- John 14:9 (NIV):
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
Jesus’ words here affirm the unity of His person and His divine nature, further contradicting the idea of a divided identity.
- John 10:30 (NIV):
Historical Development and Key Figures
Nestorius and the Origins of Nestorianism
Nestorius was a prominent theologian and the Patriarch of Constantinople from 428 to 431 AD. His teachings sparked controversy due to his views on the relationship between Christ’s divine and human natures.
- Nestorius’ Teachings: Nestorius is most commonly associated with the rejection of the term Theotokos (“God-bearer”) for Mary, the mother of Jesus. He preferred the term Christotokos (“Christ-bearer”), arguing that Mary gave birth to Christ’s human nature, not His divine nature. This distinction led to the perception that Nestorius was dividing Christ into two separate persons.
- Rejection of Theotokos: Nestorius’ rejection of Theotokos was based on his concern that it conflated Christ’s human and divine natures, leading to confusion about His true identity. However, his critics argued that this position effectively split Christ into two persons, one human and one divine.
- Council of Ephesus (431 AD): The controversy over Nestorius’ teachings led to the convening of the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. The council, led by Cyril of Alexandria, condemned Nestorianism as heretical and affirmed the use of Theotokos to describe Mary, emphasizing the unity of Christ’s person.
- Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444 AD): Cyril was a key opponent of Nestorianism and a leading figure at the Council of Ephesus. He argued that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures and that Mary can rightly be called Theotokos because she gave birth to the person who is both fully God and fully man.
- Cyril’s Letters to Nestorius: In his letters to Nestorius, Cyril articulated the orthodox position on the unity of Christ’s person, emphasizing that the divine and human natures are united in one person without division.
- Council of Ephesus, 431 AD: “If anyone does not confess that Emmanuel is truly God, and therefore the holy Virgin is the Mother of God (Theotokos), since she begot according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh, let him be anathema.”
This declaration reflects the council’s rejection of Nestorianism and its affirmation of the orthodox doctrine of the Incarnation.
- Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444 AD): Cyril was a key opponent of Nestorianism and a leading figure at the Council of Ephesus. He argued that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures and that Mary can rightly be called Theotokos because she gave birth to the person who is both fully God and fully man.
Theological Significance and Impact
The condemnation of Nestorianism had a significant impact on the development of Christology in the early Church. The debates surrounding Nestorius’ teachings led to a more precise articulation of the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union.
- Hypostatic Union: The doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, which was further developed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, asserts that Jesus Christ is one person with two distinct but inseparable natures: divine and human. This doctrine was formulated in response to the errors of Nestorianism and other Christological heresies.
- Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): The Chalcedonian Definition, which emerged from the council, states that Christ is “recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.” This definition became the standard for orthodox Christology and was intended to guard against the errors of both Nestorianism and other heresies such as Monophysitism.
- Christological Controversies: The debates over Nestorianism contributed to a series of Christological controversies in the early Church, including conflicts with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, which rejected the Chalcedonian Definition. These controversies led to divisions within the broader Christian community that continue to have repercussions today.
- The Assyrian Church of the East: After the condemnation of Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, many of Nestorius’ followers fled to Persia, where they established what became known as the Assyrian Church of the East. This church maintained some aspects of Nestorian theology, although it has sought to distance itself from the more extreme elements of Nestorius’ teachings.
- Christology of the Assyrian Church of the East: The Assyrian Church of the East holds to a Christology that emphasizes the distinction between Christ’s divine and human natures, while affirming the unity of His person. In recent years, efforts have been made to reconcile the Christology of this church with the broader orthodox tradition.
- The Assyrian Church of the East: After the condemnation of Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, many of Nestorius’ followers fled to Persia, where they established what became known as the Assyrian Church of the East. This church maintained some aspects of Nestorian theology, although it has sought to distance itself from the more extreme elements of Nestorius’ teachings.
Broader Theological Implications
The Person of Christ
Nestorianism raises important questions about the nature of Christ and how His divinity and humanity are understood to coexist. The orthodox rejection of Nestorianism underscores the importance of maintaining the unity of Christ’s person while recognizing the distinction between His two natures.
- Unity and Distinction: The orthodox doctrine of the Hypostatic Union carefully balances the unity of Christ’s person with the distinction between His divine and human natures. This balance is essential for understanding how Christ can be both fully God and fully man, capable of mediating between God and humanity.
- Hebrews 4:15 (NIV):
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
This verse highlights the importance of Christ’s humanity in His role as mediator, while His divine nature ensures His sinlessness and ability to save.
- Hebrews 4:15 (NIV):
The Role of Mary in Christology
The debate over the term Theotokos and its rejection by Nestorius highlights the role of Mary in Christian theology, particularly in relation to Christology.
- Theotokos and Orthodox Christology: The use of the title Theotokos for Mary was not only about Mariology but also about affirming the true identity of Christ. By calling Mary the Mother of God, the Church affirmed that the person she bore is fully God and fully man.
- Luke 1:43 (NIV):
“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary reflects an early recognition of the divine identity of the child she was carrying, supporting the use of Theotokos.
- Luke 1:43 (NIV):
Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine
The condemnation of Nestorianism and the development of the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union have had a lasting impact on Christian theology, shaping the Church’s understanding of the person and work of Christ.
Conservative Reflection on Nestorianism
From a conservative theological perspective, Nestorianism is viewed as a significant departure from biblical truth. The orthodox response to Nestorianism is seen as a crucial defense of the integrity of Christian doctrine, particularly the doctrine of the Incarnation.
Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus
The rejection of Nestorianism affirms the biblical truth that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, fully God and fully man. This understanding is essential for grasping the depth of God’s love, as revealed in the Holy Bible.