God and the trinity in the fathers – II

Abstract

ARIUS put forward a one-sided solution to the half measures of the subordinationism of pre-Nicene theology. His starting point was the Christian kerygma and his continual concern was to clarify the tensions evident in the subordinationism of the pre-Nicene theology. Elevated to the priesthood he was commissioned to expound the Scriptures probably at Baukalis in Alexandria; his character was that of a person capable of making vigorous supporters and vigorous enemies. In a letter to the emperor Constantine, Arius says he derives his belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit from the Gospels. This is quite true, in fact the whole of the controversy centered round a number of Scripture passages differently interpreted. These interpretations depended more or less on one's particular understanding of monotheism. Influenced by Middle Platonism, preNicene writers developed a subordinationist theology, which was considered orthodox till Arius appeared. What produced the change from a tolerable, unclarified subordinationism to intolerable Arianism? We have Arius' doctrine explained in a letter he wrote to Alexander of Alexandria in 320.