homoousian

Homoousian is a term derived from Greek, meaning "of the same substance" or "consubstantial." It became a central concept in the theological debates of the early Christian Church, particularly during the Arian controversy in the 4th century. The primary question at stake was the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Arianism, the opposing view, held that Jesus Christ was of a "similar substance" (homoiousian) to the Father, implying that Jesus was created by the Father and therefore subordinate. In contrast, the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD declared that Jesus Christ was homoousian with the Father. This meant that the Son was of the same divine essence or being as the Father, asserting the full divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Nicene Creed, formulated at the council, explicitly uses the term homoousian to define the relationship within the Trinity. This doctrine became a cornerstone of orthodox Christianity, distinguishing it from various heterodox views. The debate over homoousian was not merely a matter of semantics but represented a fundamental theological assertion about the nature of God and the identity of Jesus Christ. The term and its implications continued to be discussed and refined in subsequent church councils and theological writings.