The Christological Controversy
(Sources of Early Christian Thought)
by William G. Rusch
Review Of The Christological Controversy
This book is a collection of texts designed to illustrate the development of
Christian thought about the person of Christ in the patristic era. The
earliest text translated comes from the latter half of the second century,
when the ideas and problems which were to dominate Christological
thought in this period were first crystallized. The latest is the well-known
Definition of the Faith of the Council of Chalcedon, which generally has
been accepted as defining the limits of Christological orthodoxy.
Personal Review: The Christological Controversy (Sources of
Early Christian Thought) by William G. Rusch
"In Alexandria, there is reason to believe now from the discovery of
Didymus the Blind's 'Commentary on the Psalms' written circa 390, that the
question of Christ's nature was already being discussed a generation

before Nestorius appeared on the scene." L.Gesche, in 'Early Church',
WHC Frend
Christological Controversy:
The patristic texts in this fine book, are meticulously chosen, well
translated literature, a collection of documents relevant to early
christological doctrine of the patristic church. Professor Richard Norris
elaborated an informative introduction narrating the development of
Christian thought about the person of Christ in the era of the church
fathers. Starting with early christology, he explained its initial problems,
and introduced the patristic authors, and their thought on Christology and
the related subjects. He gave due attention, and space to the impact of
Origen's view of the Logos and how his neo Platonic language was
interpreted by his disciples, both orthodox and heterodox.
The earliest text translated comes from Justin Martyr. When the ideas and
problems which were to dominate christological thought were first
crystallized, Melito of Sardis, whose writing introduced here, were
discovered lately. An excellent translation of the work of Irenaeus, the most
important of the second century fathers, is an effective refutation of
Gnosticism, whose sects and doctrines dominated the pagan intellect. The
first confrontation between Athanasius and the Alexandrine Orthodoxy with
Antiochene teaching in Lybian Presbyter Arius, who resided in Alexandria.
The latest text is the known 'Definition of Faith' of the Schismatic Council of
Chalcedon ( 451). Chalcedon has been enforced by Marcian and
Pulcheria, it was 'generally' accepted as defining the guidelines of
christology in the west but caused the separation of Alexandria, and later
Antioch, the two major churches in the empire.
Christological meddling:
"Rome commissioned John Cassian to write a refutation of this new
version ...and in August 430 sent a formal letter, to be forwarded on to
Nestorius, demanding recantation...-Cyril accompanied it with a strong
dogmatic letter (his third letter) tersely demanding Nestorius' assent to
'Twelve Anathemas'.... These formidable documents were handed to
Nestorius eleven days after Theodosius had issued a summons for a
council.." (Henry Chadwick, The Early Church, pp 194-200)
The prominent ecclesiastical historian, John Meyendorff (Past President of
NA Patristic society) meticulously states about Leo that : "He reacted by
expressing his opinion without taking the time to inform himself, with real
thoroughness of the circumstances, the vocabulary and the problematic
involved in the debates. He held undoubtedly, a conviction that Peter
spoke through him, as gifted as Janus with both hindsight and foresight."
Theological Definitions:
+ Christology: this branch of theology, answers the questions about the
person of Christ, in relation to the Father, to Jesus of Nazareth and to
humans.
+ Soteriology: (soter: salvation) the reflection upon salvific activity of Jesus
Christ, it answers the questions," Whom & from what has J.Christ saved

the creation & humanity?' Soteriology was a sacramental mystery linked
with the Euchrist in Alexandrian Cyrillic Christology.
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