Unit 5 Quiz Review

What is an ecumenical council?

• A meeting of all Christians

• A gathering of the world’s bishops with the Pope

• A political meeting of emperors

• A meeting to rewrite the Bible

Answer explanation

An ecumenical council is specifically a gathering of the world’s bishops with the Pope to discuss and resolve issues within the Church, making the second answer choice the correct one.

Why did Emperor Constantine call the Council of Nicaea?

• To choose a new emperor

• To settle disagreements about Jesus’ divinity

• To create new Church laws

• To rewrite the Creed

Answer explanation

Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea primarily to settle disagreements about Jesus’ divinity, particularly the Arian controversy, which questioned the nature of Christ and his relationship to God.

Who was Arius?

• A bishop who defended Jesus’ divinity

• A priest who taught Jesus was not fully God

• A Roman emperor

• A Creed writer

Answer explanation

Arius was a priest who taught that Jesus was not fully God, leading to the Arian controversy. This belief contradicted the view of Jesus' divinity held by many early Christians, making the second answer choice correct.

What did Arianism claim?

• Jesus is equal to the Father

• Jesus is fully God and fully human

• Jesus was created and not eternal

• Jesus never performed miracles

Answer explanation

Arianism claimed that Jesus was created and not eternal, meaning He was not of the same essence as God the Father, which contrasts with the belief in His equality and full divinity.

The phrase “begotten, not made” means:

• Jesus was created like all creatures

• Jesus came into existence later

•  C. Jesus is from the Father’s own being, not created

•  D. Jesus was adopted into divinity

Answer explanation

The phrase 'begotten, not made' indicates that Jesus is not a created being like all creatures, but rather has a unique existence that is eternal and divine, affirming His nature as the Son of God.

What does “consubstantial with the Father” mean?

• Jesus is similar to the Father

• Jesus has a different nature than the Father

• Jesus and the Father share the same divine substance

• Jesus was made by the Father

Answer explanation

The term 'consubstantial with the Father' means that Jesus and the Father share the same divine substance, affirming their unity in essence and nature, contrary to the other options which suggest differences or creation.

The line “God from God, Light from Light” emphasizes that Jesus:

• Is less powerful than the Father

• Shares the same divine nature as the Father

• Is only a symbol of God

• Was created before humans

Answer explanation

The phrase "God from God, Light from Light" indicates that Jesus shares the same divine essence as the Father, affirming His full divinity rather than suggesting He is lesser or merely symbolic.

Which line from the Nicene Creed MOST directly rejects Arianism?

• Maker of heaven and earth

• Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary

• Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father

• I believe in the Holy Spirit

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father' directly counters Arianism by affirming that the Son is of the same substance as the Father, rejecting the idea that the Son was created or inferior.

Why do Christians still pray the Nicene Creed today?

• It is required for salvation

• It helps unite Christians in shared beliefs

• It replaces Scripture

• It describes Church history

Answer explanation

Christians pray the Nicene Creed to affirm their shared beliefs, fostering unity within the faith community. It serves as a declaration of core doctrines rather than a requirement for salvation or a replacement for Scripture.

Why did Pope Leo travel to Nicaea in 2025?

• To start a new council

• To celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

• To debate modern theologians

• To close churches in Turkey

Answer explanation

Pope Leo traveled to Nicaea in 2025 to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a significant event in Christian history, rather than to start a new council or debate theologians.