A.D. 431 · extended material

Council of Ephesus

Is Christ one person, or effectively two persons loosely joined together?

Historical Context

Rival theological schools in Alexandria and Constantinople had developed sharply different ways of describing the union of Christ's divine and human natures.

Controversy

Nestorius's teaching seemed to divide Christ into two separate subjects, which is what provoked the fight over calling Mary "Theotokos," God-bearer.

Confession / Clarification

Ephesus affirmed the title Theotokos, insisting the one born of Mary is, without division, God the Son himself.

Downstream Influence

Secures that the one who suffered on the cross is the very same one who is God — a precondition later penal substitution theology depends on entirely.

Further Resources

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