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The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland

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Chapter 4<br />

Roman Catholicism's Deadly<br />

Broken Link<br />

1. Did the Councils of Nicea (A.D. 325) and<br />

Chalcedon (A.D. 451) go far enough in<br />

understanding the humanity of Christ?<br />

Those early post-apostolic centuries were<br />

dominated by fierce theological controversies over<br />

the humanity of Christ. Stalwart Greek theologians<br />

fought bravely to save the church from the heresy<br />

of Arianism.1 <strong>The</strong> formula hammered out by the<br />

debates of these general councils on the humanity<br />

of Christ is commendably orthodox.<br />

But though it was orthodox, the following<br />

centuries saw it as a stale orthodoxy that eventually<br />

led to a denial of Christ's true humanity. As Harry<br />

Johnson remarks, the "orthodox" church leaders<br />

throughout history continued to persecute bitterly<br />

those who dared to uphold the clear New<br />

130

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