Council of Ephesus

Definition

The Council of Ephesus, convened in 431 CE, was a significant ecumenical council in early Christianity that addressed the nature of Christ and the Virgin Mary, particularly focusing on the relationship between Jesus' divine and human natures. This council resulted in the condemnation of Nestorianism, which separated Christ's two natures, and affirmed the title of Theotokos for Mary, emphasizing her role as the 'Mother of God.' It played a crucial role in shaping early Christian doctrines and creeds regarding Christology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Council of Ephesus was called by Emperor Theodosius II and marked a pivotal moment in defining orthodox Christian beliefs about Jesus and Mary.
2. It was the third ecumenical council recognized by mainstream Christianity, following the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople.
3. The council condemned Nestorius' teachings, declaring them heretical and affirming the unity of Christ's divine and human natures.
4. Over 200 bishops attended the council, and its decisions had a lasting impact on Christian theology and later councils.
5. The title of Theotokos for Mary became a key point of contention between different Christian sects, influencing theological debates for centuries.

Review Questions

• How did the Council of Ephesus address the relationship between Jesus' divine and human natures?
  • The Council of Ephesus addressed this relationship by condemning Nestorianism, which proposed a division between Christ's two natures. Instead, the council affirmed that Jesus is one person with both a divine and human nature united without separation. This decision reinforced the belief that Mary should be called Theotokos, or 'Mother of God,' as it emphasized her role in giving birth to Christ, who is fully divine and fully human.
• What were the implications of declaring Mary as Theotokos at the Council of Ephesus?
  • Declaring Mary as Theotokos at the Council of Ephesus had significant theological implications. It affirmed her role as the Mother of God and solidified the understanding that Jesus' divinity was not separate from his humanity. This decision played a crucial role in countering Nestorian beliefs and shaped subsequent Christian teachings about Christology. It also led to ongoing debates within Christianity about Mary's status, contributing to divisions among different Christian sects.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the decisions made at the Council of Ephesus on subsequent Christian councils and doctrines.
  • The decisions made at the Council of Ephesus had profound long-term effects on Christian theology and future councils. By affirming the title Theotokos and condemning Nestorianism, it set a precedent for how Christological discussions would be framed in later councils, particularly at Chalcedon. The theological clarity achieved at Ephesus influenced how subsequent church authorities approached doctrines concerning Christ's nature and Mary's role in salvation history. This established a framework for addressing theological disputes that arose over centuries, shaping the evolution of orthodox Christian beliefs.

Related terms

Nestorianism:

A Christological doctrine attributed to Nestorius that proposed a distinction between the divine and human natures of Christ, leading to the belief that Mary should be called 'Christotokos' or 'Mother of Christ' rather than 'Theotokos.'

Theotokos: A Greek term meaning 'God-bearer,' used to affirm Mary's title as the Mother of God, which was upheld at the Council of Ephesus.

Chalcedonian Definition: The statement of faith established at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE that defined the two natures of Christ (divine and human) in one person, further clarifying discussions initiated at earlier councils, including Ephesus.