Arianism

Anna Chiprean and Bridget

Hudson

When Did Arianism Begin?

Arianism was proposed by Aruis, who was a priest in Egypt early
in the 4th century.
In 381, the second ecumenical council met and Arianism was
proscribed, to denounce or condemn.
This did not completely put an end to the Heresy
It remained in favor by some of the Germanic tribes until the end of
the 7th century
Jehovah's Witnesses is a form of modern day Arianism

What is Arianism?
Arianism
Is described as "(Theology) the doctrine of Arius, pronounced
heretical at the Council of Nicaea, which asserted that Christ was not
of one substance with the Father, but a creature raised by the Father
to the dignity of Son of God"
This means that Jesus was not of the same substance and is not
consubstantial with God the Father.
Jesus is not the Son of God, but a noble man or the highest of all
creation

Why is Arianism Wrong?

Arianism is wrong because it attacks the divinity of our Lord
As Catholics, we know God is three persons in one being.
Arius preached that the Second Person of the Holy Trinity was
not equal, but subordinate to God
"Arianism maintained that the Son of God was not eternal but
was created by the Father from nothing as an instrument for
the creation of the world; the Son was therefore not coeternal
with the Father, nor of the same substance."

Who Fought Against Arianism?

Because of the priest Arius and the Bishop of Nicomedia
Eusebius, the First Council of Nicaea was summoned to dispute
this heresy
Saint Athanasius, who was at the council stated like serpents
coming out of their holes, have vomited forth the poison of this
impiety; Arius daring to blaspheme openly, and Eusebius
defending his blasphemy. He was not, however, able to support
the heresy until he found a patron for it in the Emperor.
Saint Athanasius fought long and hard against this heresy
Arius and Bishop Eusebius knew that they could not win the
Council and stepped down

Was Arianism Defeated?

Although the Catholic church proscribed Arianism, there are still groups
today that practice this belief, so they were not able to completely
defeat this heresy.
Jehovah's Witnesses still practice Arianism
Some of the Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs are:

"whereas Arius would teach that Jesus' human element is merely the material with
the Logos being the soul (no human soul), the Jehovah's Witnesses would teach
that Jesus was purely man, and as such, he did not possess a soul but he was a
living soul."

"Also, Arius believed Jesus should be worshipped whereas the Jehovah's Witnesses
teach that since one is to worship God alone Jesus should not be worshipped, since
he is merely a creature."

"However, as demonstrated above, in the most important of doctrines in the

Church, Christology, there is more than enough similarity between the two to leave
no doubt that the Jehovah's Witnesses are the Arians of our day."

Works Cited

"Arianism and Arian Catholicism." Arianism and Arian Catholicism. Web.

18 Apr. 2016.

"Arianism." Arianism and the Council of Nicea. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.

"Arianism." Arianism-definition of Arianim. Dictionary. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.

"Modern Day Arians: Who Are They?" Watchman Fellowship: A Christian

Research
and Apologetics Ministry. Watchman Fellowship. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.

The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. "Arianism." Encyclopedia

Britannica Online.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sept. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.