Vatican II In A Year Day 2: Background on Ecumenical Councils
Jan 2, 2025
Dr. Robert Fastiggi, a historical and dogmatic theologian and chair of dogmatic theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, delves into the rich history of ecumenical councils. He explains the significance of the Council of Nicaea in defining Christ's divinity and discusses how subsequent councils, like Constantinople and Ephesus, addressed key theological controversies. Fastiggi also highlights Trent's reaffirmation of sacraments and justification in response to Protestantism, showing how these gatherings shaped the Church's doctrine and unity over the centuries.
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Chalcedon's Two-Nature Formula
- Chalcedon defined Christ as fully God and fully man in two natures united without confusion, change, division, or separation.
- This rejected both Nestorian separation of persons and Monophysite absorption of the human nature.
Clarifying Aftermaths And Worship
- Later councils addressed theological aftermaths: condemning certain writings, affirming Mary's perpetual virginity, and clarifying that Christ has two wills.
- These decisions both healed disputes and reinforced worship of Christ's united person.
Venerating Sacred Images
- The Second Council of Nicaea (787) defended veneration of holy images, distinguishing veneration given to images from worship due to God alone.
- Iconoclasm was rejected and legitimate veneration affirmed as honoring the person represented.
