The Arian Controversy

The Scriptures emphatically teach that there is only one God. However, they also teach that Christ is God. The attempts to reconcile this apparent contradiction have been the cause of many heated controversies throughout the history of Christianity. The purpose of this paper is to get a better understanding of one of these 'battles' the Arian controversy. Emphasis will be placed on the theological background from which the heresy originated, its view of Christ, the Action at Nicaea against the heresy, and reaction to the Nicene formula. Also, some of the most important terms used in the debate will be discussed.