Questions for reflection: Nicaea

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[ABOVE: Shield of the Trinity diagram in Writings of Robert Grosseteste. Circa 1230. MS. A.III.12, f. 14v—Durham Cathedral / Public domain, Wikimedia]

2025 marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. With a group or on your own, use these questions to guide reflection on this historic council.

1. What did you know about the Council of Nicaea before reading this issue? In what ways is the Nicene Creed (or its theological ideas) used in your faith tradition?

2. What were the circumstances that led to the need for a council (pp. 6–11)? Describe the major conflicts and the people involved.

3. What is the difference between the original Nicene Creed and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (p. 12)? What does your faith tradition say about the “and the Son” statement?

4. Of the excerpted quotations on the relationship of God the Father and God the Son (p. 17), which one most resonated with you? Why? 

5. In “Taking care of (church) business” (pp. 18–20), we learned that the council also had other matters it needed to address. Are any of the canons listed here relevant to the church today? Why or why not? 

6. Why was Athanasius a controversial figure in the fourth-century church (p. 21)? How did he defend trinitarian orthodoxy? 

7. A number of theological terms appear throughout the issue. What is the difference between homoousios and homoiousios? Why is this so important? (See pages 22–23, 24–26, and 32–35 for more.) 

8. How did the pro-Nicene alliance (pp. 24–26) form? Why wasn’t a consensus found immediately after the Council of Nicaea?

9. What were some things you learned about the council from the interview (pp. 27-30)? What surprised you about the process?

10. How did the Nicene Creed lead church leaders to a better understanding of the Trinity (pp. 32–35)? What aspects of trinitarian theology did pro-Nicene theologians flesh out for the church?

11. Of the figures mentioned in “Saints and heretics” (pp. 36–39), which do you think was most influential at the Council of Nicaea? Why? 

12. Consider the reflection on pages 41–42. What are some ways the Nicene Creed connects the worldwide church today?

CH 

By the editors

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