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Theology

Councils & Creeds

The seven ecumenical councils and the creeds they produced.

The ecumenical councils were gatherings of bishops that defined core Christian doctrine in response to theological controversies. Rhema covers all seven councils recognized across major traditions.

The seven councils

  1. Nicaea I (325): Deity of Christ, Nicene Creed
  2. Constantinople I (381): Deity of the Holy Spirit
  3. Ephesus (431): Theotokos, against Nestorianism
  4. Chalcedon (451): Two natures of Christ
  5. Constantinople II (553): Three Chapters controversy
  6. Constantinople III (681): Two wills of Christ
  7. Nicaea II (787): Veneration of icons

Key creeds

  • Apostles' Creed: Early baptismal confession
  • Nicene Creed: Trinitarian statement from Nicaea/Constantinople
  • Chalcedonian Definition: Christ's two natures
  • Athanasian Creed: Detailed Trinitarian and Christological formula