How the Council of Nicaea Shaped Christianity

The Council of Nicaea wasn't just a historical event but a turning point—one that directly influences our faith and understanding of Jesus today. Dr. Sri dives into the council's background, the heroic bishops who attended, and the practical applications of this influential council for us today. 

Snippet from the Show

 As the Divine Son of God, Jesus shows us the face of the Father. 

A Historical Turning Point

Exactly 1700 years ago, Christianity faced a crucial crossroads. It was June 325 AD when the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the famous Council of Nicaea. The Church, at the time, was grappling with two paths: to remain true to Jesus' divinity or to follow a new trend that claimed Jesus was merely a man, a great teacher, but not divine.

Understanding Arius' Challenge

The crux of the controversy centered on Arius, a priest whose teachings downplayed Christ's divinity. Arius saw the need for the faith to make logical sense, which led him to a conclusion that contradicted church teachings: Jesus, the Son of God, was a mere creature, created by the Father and not of the same divine substance. His ideas spread rapidly across the Roman Empire, challenging centuries of Christian belief.

The Council’s Response

With bishops from all corners of the Roman world—many of whom were survivors of intense persecutions—the Council of Nicaea met to address this crisis. These bishops knew firsthand the importance of remaining faithful to the true nature of Jesus Christ. The outcome was clear: reaffirming the eternal divinity of Christ, the council gave us the Nicene Creed, a powerful declaration of faith emphasizing the Son as "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God."

Modern Implications

Today, we face similar challenges in our understanding of Jesus. Many contemporary views treat Jesus as merely a moral teacher or a guide—an idea subtly echoing Arius' teachings. But the creed reminds us of the mystery and majesty of Jesus: He is truly divine, God himself, not just a guide or therapist but the God who entered into our human experience.

The Gift of God's Closeness

Jesus is the great gift of divine closeness. When life confronts us with suffering, fear, or spiritual isolation, it is Jesus, fully God and fully man, who enters into the deepest parts of our souls and offers healing and comfort.

Dr. Sri's Events List (2025)

• June 8 - Rockville NY
• June 22-30: Rome Pilgrimage - Italy
• Aug 2-5: Grand Getaway - Mackinac Island, MI
• Sept 13 - Marriage Weekend - Fort Collins, CO
• Sept 20 - Eucharist Encounter - Tampa FL
• Aug 9: Emmaus: Diocesan Family Conference - Gary, IN
• Oct 8: Legatus - Jacksonville, FL
• Oct 11 - Love and Responsibility Conference - Los Angeles CA
• Oct 13-15 - Madison WI
• Oct 22-24 - Missionaries of Charity - Memphis TN

Resources

• To learn more about Dr. Sri's Holy Land pilgrimages email holyland.edwardsri@gmail.com 
• Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
• Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic 
• Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings