Modern research has qualified Theodosius I's allegiance to the
Nicene faith. According to revisionists, the emperor did not become a
Nicene Christian until early in his reign when he encountered Nicene
bishops at Thessalonica in 380. Also, Theodosius adapted a pro-Nicene
religious policy only provisionally and without a clear goal of
establishing Nicene orthodoxy in the Empire.
Against this new view the present speaker will argue that Theodosius was a Nicene partisan before and throughout his reign. Theodosius was raised an orthodox Christian, and as a man of high social standing with contacts in the Western Church, he would have been aware of the importance of the Nicene Creed for contemporary orthodoxy before he became emperor. Although the revisionists consider the Cunctos Populos edict published at Thessalonica in February 380 to be the earliest sign of Theodosius' adherence to a Nicene religious policy, his authorization shortly after he became emperor in January 379 of the Nicene council of Antioch, which met in the middle of the same year, demonstrates that he supported the Nicene cause at the beginning of his reign and several months before he arrived at Thessalonica.
Thereafter Theodosius pursued a consistent pro-Nicene policy. Instances when Theodosius appeared to have wavered in his support of the Nicene cause should be understood as his expedient response to opposition to his pro-Nicene policy until he could return to it. Although Theodosius was not a Nicene bigot, he was always intent on championing the Nicene faith.
Against this new view the present speaker will argue that Theodosius was a Nicene partisan before and throughout his reign. Theodosius was raised an orthodox Christian, and as a man of high social standing with contacts in the Western Church, he would have been aware of the importance of the Nicene Creed for contemporary orthodoxy before he became emperor. Although the revisionists consider the Cunctos Populos edict published at Thessalonica in February 380 to be the earliest sign of Theodosius' adherence to a Nicene religious policy, his authorization shortly after he became emperor in January 379 of the Nicene council of Antioch, which met in the middle of the same year, demonstrates that he supported the Nicene cause at the beginning of his reign and several months before he arrived at Thessalonica.
Thereafter Theodosius pursued a consistent pro-Nicene policy. Instances when Theodosius appeared to have wavered in his support of the Nicene cause should be understood as his expedient response to opposition to his pro-Nicene policy until he could return to it. Although Theodosius was not a Nicene bigot, he was always intent on championing the Nicene faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment