Significance of the Dogmatic Definition of Chalcedon in the Contemporary Church - Case Study Example

Significance of the Dogmatic Definition of Chalcedon in the Contemporary Church Introduction The Council of Chalcedon developed dogmatic definitions that have significantly influenced the current Church in the way people worship and study theology. The council was held at Chalcedon, Bithynia in the Asia Minor. The highly influential council in the fourth centuries changed the distinct Christological doctrines and introduced a single church. However, the Anglicans and the Protestants considered the council ecumenical since it introduced dogmatic definitions that supported the creation of a single church. As a result, they broke up and formed the different denominations, which has lasted up to date (Murphy 1998, p. 381). The council has influenced the theological studies, in that, the issue of the holy trinity covers all the areas of study. For example, the Catholic theological studies suggest Holy Trinity has three natures in one person, that is, the Holy God, Holy Spirit and Christ. The Contemporary Catholic Church is dominated by many dogmatic definitions that were created by the Roman Catholic Councils in the past centuries. Also, the dogmatic definitions are very significant in defining why the Anglican Church has been divided, in the modern world particularly basing on the Christian doctrines perceived by the believers. The council formulated the universal and sacred synod decreed that was not to be altered in the future. The synod decreed has influenced the believers in the contemporary Churches, which make them cling to the church without thinking otherwise. In other words, the dogmatic definitions form the basis of the current nature of people believing without questioning the religious ideologies (Murphy 1998, p. 384). Brief History of the Council of Chalcedon As stated earlier, the church council was held in 415 AD at Chalcedon. The major emperors who formulated the universal decree were Marcian Augustus and Valentinian Augustus. The famous Chaledonian creed states that Christ has two natures, that is, himself and the holy trinity. The council also drafted 27 canons that were meant to govern the Church authority and administration (Murphy 1998, p. 390). Another famous canon was also developed which claimed that all bishops had to raise the see of the older Rome in stature since they enjoyed the similar authorities and honour with the see of the New Rome. As a result, many Christological disagreements arose, which broke up the church of the Roman Empire in thefifth century. Before 450 AD, the Eastern Orthodox Church was united with the Roman Catholics, but, broke up during this time (Murphy 1998, p. 392). Many churches considered the council as ecumenical and full of dogmatic definitions. The dogmatic definitions were not meant to be changed at all in the future times. Over the past centuries, many churches have developed claiming that the council had orthodox doctrines. Protestant Church is one of the famous churches that disregard dogmatic definitions, but, follows them in their day-to-day functions. They do not believe in the concept of the Trinity that divides Christ into two persons. The patristic foundations of the Christian Orthodox church are also related to the division of the contemporary Churches. The orthodox and the Roman Catholics also followed the dogmatic definitions and canons in the later centuries after the era of the ecumenical council in 415 AD. Over the past centuries, the three denominations have consistently disagreed due to their distinct Christian doctrines. For example, in the early centuries, the Protestant Church was accused of monophysitism because they failed to believe in the concept of the Holy Trinity. As a result, tension between the churches developed and has lasted for many years, even today (Kelly 2006, p. 45). The Dogmatic Definition of Council at Chalcedon The emperors of the council at Chalcedon gave universal and sacred decrees that would unite the Church. They agreed that the Church Communion should not be divided due to the different religious doctrines. These decrees suggest that Holy Trinity is made of two natures, that is,Christ and the Holy Spirit. The council was targeted at establishing a firm religion with doctrines that were unquestionable. Many people had tried to disregard God’s sovereignty and that is why the council introduced the dogmatic definition in order to unite the church and protect the true nature of God. The Chalcedonian Creed ought not to be altered at all even in the future centuries. However, the Eastern Roman Empire broke up in the later centuries (Kelly 2006, p. 60). Division of the Churches The history of the church development reveals that before the church council was held in Chalcedon, the Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Protestants were united in one church. After the introduction of the many canons and unquestionable doctrines by the council, the church ended up breaking into different denominations. In today’s world, the churches are still divided due to various reasons. First, the churches interpreted the 28 canons of the council differently and secondly, their differences in interpreting the holy bible. The history becomes very significant when describing why the different churches cannot unite as in the early century.One understands that underlying religious ideologies in these churches are the causative factors of the division in the contemporary Church. For example, the Catholic Church today believes in the Holy Trinity. During their prayers and other Church functions the churches usually refer to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit as the sole provider of life. It is evident that the council dogmatic definition formed the foundation of the current Apostles Creed that is used by the Catholic Church. Since the creed is not questionable at all, many Christians, therefore, cling to the church. The unification of the Catholic Church in the whole world shows how the dogmatic definition has influenced the contemporary society. On another hand, the Protestant Church does not believe in the Holy Trinity, and this contradicts with the Catholic religious ideologies. They, therefore, remain divided due to the same dogmatic definitions formulated by the Chalcedonian council. Relevance of the dogmatic definitions in theology The contemporary theological studies have utilized the canons developed by the council of Chalcedon in the fourth century. Theology refers to the study of beliefs and God. In training programs, lecturers and tutors use some canons formulated by the early Christ-loving emperors (Moulder 1986, p. 120). In this way, they promote the spread of Christianityamong people. Theological studies based on the Anglican Church doctrines are usually targeted at creating freedom when spreading the word of God. As a result, lots of churches have been established in attempts towards achieving the fulfilment of the forefathers’ prophecy.Besides other sociocultural studies included in theology, teachers also ascertains the mystery of the Holy God in order to fulfil the council’s canons that advocate for proclamation of truth (Moulder 1986, p. 124). InCatholic Church, the canons of the council of Chalcedon have been utilized in many ways. Although Pope Leo rejected the 28th canon, which required the Constantinople and pope of the older Rome to be honoured in similar ways, he utilized some dogmatic definitions formulated in the Council (Moulder 1986, p. 131). For example, the Catholic Church today believes that the Pope does not make errors while in office. He is a teacher of all Christian Catholics and has the authority to define the doctrines to be held by the whole Church. This is a dogma of the Christian Catholic Church commonly referred to as papal infallibility (Fiorenza and Galvin 2011, p. 66). In theology, Catholics refer to this doctrine that was dogmatically created in order to control the Church. Most dogmatic doctrines have been developed for over the centuries by councils including the Chalcedonian Council. In their training programs, the Catholics are introduced the canons that govern the church in order to retain unity of the church (David, Kendall and Gerald 2004, p. 75). Dogmatic Beliefs In the contemporary society, many people follow their religions without even questioning them. The dogmatic definitions developed at Chalcedon have influenced people’s minds even today. As a result, many people remain loyal to churches, an effort towards achieving unity. Some concepts in the Catholic Church such as the Sacred Scriptures and the Sacred Tradition well define how dogmatic beliefs have influenced Christians (Kelly 2006, p. 67). The Sacred scripture refers to the holy bible used as a prayer book. The book acknowledges that the Pope is supreme in the Catholic Church. This means that all Catholics should respect and believe in the deeds of the Pope while he is in office. The First Vatican Council held in 1870 formulated the papal infallibility of the Pope basing on the doctrines depicted in the medieval councils such as the Council of Chalcedon (Fiorenza and Galvin 2011, p. 67). The dogmatic definition forms the basis of many prayers and confessions that take place in the Contemporary Church. In this way, believers feel united to the Church and God. The definition was formulated by 150 saintly fathers where they emphasized on the issue of division of Christ in two natures. Their doctrines were not to be changed, separated or disregarded as they formed the foundation of faith. Although most churches today have altered this definition, they have remained compatible to several doctrines during prayers and confessions. When Catholics mention the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit they become strong in faith. In other words, the definition unites Christian during prayers. Many concepts developed in the contemporary Church are based on the canons of the Fifth Council of Chalcedon. For example, the Holy Communion, Body of Christ and Sacrament of the Catholic Church. One understands how the contemporary church has incorporated the dogmatic definitions in developing their doctrines in order to influence the believers.For example, in the Orthodox Christian theology, Christ is the body who unites the church. The prayers are also created in accordance to the dogmatic definitions (Gerald 1995, p. 67). The doctrine of the Trinity forms the basis of the modern church. This doctrine is very essential for people because it ascertains their beliefs in nature of Christ who is divine and of two natures. The dogmatic definition protects the modern church in that no foreign ideologies can interfere with the divinity of Christ. For instance, in today’s world, scientists and critiques who criticize the church are usually outdone with the dogmatic doctrines, which ascertains Christ’s existence. It has improved the connectivity of beliefs among Christians that reduce separation (Gerald 1995, p. 89). Another significance of dogmatic definitions in today’s world is the increased criticisms that emanate from churches, scientists, geologists and more. Back in the fourth century, the council of Chalcedon changed the nature of Christ from the way the earlier church described Christ (David, Kendall and Gerald 2004, p. 78). Even today the actions of the council in changing the nature of Christ has been imitated where some people now believe that there is no Christ and instead worship the devil. Today, it is very common to find churches interpreting the bible in a different way just like the saintly fathers did in the fourth century.The division of churches has rendered Christianity very weak making it possible for scientists and other criticizers to violate the doctrine of the trinity with their theories. The doctrine of the trinity becomes very crucial in theological studies since it can lead to unwavering faith among Christians (Gerald 1995, p. 99). In addition, the emperors of the council of Chalcedon wrote a statement of faith that has facilitated the understanding and unity of the church. Christ is described as truly human and divine. The doctrine has been criticized over time, but, has been very important for churches in setting the limits based on errors that underlay this doctrine of the trinity. The bishops, priests and preachers of the modern world base their answers on this doctrine when confronted with questions regarding the Trinity. It is very essential for theologians when they are teaching because one can defend his/her position in case of criticisms. For example, in the Catholic Church, believers can confirm why they refer to Trinity as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit basing their arguments on the doctrine of trinity (Walter 1976, p. 150). Research has revealed that the doctrine confesses the gospel messages depicted in the Holy Bible, in the past century and even today. For example, it confesses that Christ assumed human sins in order to save humankind. In most Christian denominations, the statement has been used to affirm the divine nature of Christ and thus strengthening people’s faith in God. Without such a confession, the holy Church would be easily defended against criticisms.Churches have borrowed some statements from the dogmatic definition in order to develop their religious ideologies (Gerald 1995, p. 101). In conclusion, the church council held in Chalcedon has influenced the modern church in many ways. The division of churches, different theological studies and dogmatic beliefs are the most significant indicators of the dogmatic definition in the current world. The underlying concept of the doctrine of Trinity formulated by the saintly fathers is the idea of Christ’s existence in two natures where he is human and divine.The numerous Christological debates that followed after the council of Chalcedon resulted to division of churches that has lasted up to date.Although the Orthodox Christians, Catholics and the Protestants termed the council as ecumenical, they still used the dogmatic definitions formulated by that council. The dogmatic definitions are utilized in learning the theologies of different churches. For example, the Catholic Church is one of best churches that reveal the use of the dogmatic definition in prayers and confession. Papal infallibility is a dogma that suggests that the Pope does not make errors whilst in office. The dogmatic beliefs among the Christians today have strengthened the unity of the church, for example, Catholics. It, therefore, seems that the council of Chalcedon formed the foundation of the modern church, religious beliefs and faith. References List Davis, S T, Kendall, D and Gerald O 2004, The Incarnation: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Incarnation of the Son of God, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Fiorenza, F S and Galvin, J P 2011, Systematic theology Roman Catholic perspectives, Minneapolis, Fortress Press. Gerald, S 1995, Christology: A biblical, historical, and systematic study of Jesus Christ Oxford, Oxford University Press. Kelly, J N D 2006, Early Christian Doctrines, London, Continuum. Moulder, J 1986, "Is Chalcedonian Theology Coherent?" In: Modern Theology 2 (4), pp.285-307, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Murphy, F X 1998, The Dogmatic Definition at Chalcedon, New York, Viking. Walter,K 1976, Jesus the Christ, New York, Harvard University Press. Pp. 230-274 Read More