Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology

Oxford University Press, USA, May 2006. Paper Back. New. Ayres states that his intended audience includes students of early Christianity and modern Christian theologians. To the latter group, Ayres suggests 'that recent Trinitarian theology has engaged the legacy of Nicaea at a fairly shallow level, frequently relying on assumptions about Nicene theology that are historically indefensible.' Catholic and Orthodox theologians, he says, are especially bound to engage Nicaea, but he intends to show that 'the complex theologies of pro-Nicenes involve an attention to Scripture that should claim the attention of all who define their faith as 'scriptural.'' Ayres understands the crucial point of the ancient conflict: a proper scriptural understanding of the Son is at the heart of the Christian message. A Son less than the Father is less a Christ, and therefore, we receive a diminished salvation. The question then for the Nicenes was how to articulate distinction and avoid the inference of subordination. By the end of his book, Ayres shows that the doctrines articulated in the Nicene era were the hard-won (and, we might add, beautiful) product of spiritual reflection on Holy Writ, and a deep, intelligent devotion we would do well to imitate today. 475 pp.