Homoousios

Definition

Greek for ‘of the same essence/substance.’ The Nicene term affirms that the Son shares fully the same divine essence as the Father. The course notes that the word was non-scriptural and controversial, and was introduced to crystallize Church tradition against Arianism.

Episodes

• 021 — History of the Christian Church — Topic 1
• 024 — History of the Christian Church — Topic 4
• 025 — History of the Christian Church — Topic 5

Related Concepts

• Arianism
• Chalcedon
• Christology
• Deity Of The Holy Spirit
• Homoiousios
• Nicaea
• Nicene Creed
• Trinitarian Controversy
• Trinity

Biblical References

• Colossians 1:15 — * He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, *
• Isaiah 53:8 — *He was led away after an unjust trial— but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. *