Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is a bestselling novel that got a lot wrong about an important event in Christian history … the Council Of Nicea.
What Was The Council Of Nicea And Why Did It Matter?
The Roman Emperor Constantine called this first ecumenical council in 325 AD to bring church unity. Approximately 1,800 bishops were invited, but sources indicate approximately 318 bishops attended.
One of the biggest issues that needed resolution was a difference of opinion concerning the divinity of Christ. Alexander of Alexandria was a leading bishop representing the orthodox position, while a bishop named Arius represented a conflicting viewpoint.
Arius contended that since Jesus was the son of God, God must have come first. This supposes that Jesus was not co-eternal and co-equal with God the Father, since God the Father existed before Jesus. This position – known as Arianism – was extremely troubling to many third century Christians.
Alexander of Alexandria represented the orthodox position which was that Jesus co-equal with God and aligned with the position presented in the gospel of John.
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.
After robust debate, a vote was taken, and Alexander’s orthodox position was voted as correct doctrine with a 316 to 2 result. A landslide victory for the divinity of Christ.
This vote expressed a near unanimous condemnation of Arius’ position and established more unity in the young church.
Contrary to what Dan Brown’s novel and some conspiracy theorists might say …
There’s no evidence the council …
* Created the religion of Christianity
* Created the concept of the Trinity
* Created the idea of the divinity of Jesus
* Choose which books would be included in the Bible
* Created the concept of the Trinity
* Created the idea of the divinity of Jesus
* Choose which books would be included in the Bible
When the Council of Nicea occurred, there were books that were not considered divinely inspired scripture, such as the Gnostic gospels. According to Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, the bishops attending the Council of Nicea decided which books would be included in the Bible. But this could not be further from the truth.
In fact, the Christian sect of Gnosticism, a prominent heretical movement, was an already dead sect for more than 100 years before the Council of Nicea was convened.
Thanks, Dan Brown, For An Entertaining Read, But …
Thanks, Dan Brown, For An Entertaining Read, But …
Novel writers have a golden rule … “Don’t Let The Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story.” And the truth is that the Council of Nicea did not re-shape or re-imagine Christianity … nor did it select which books would be included in the Bible. But it did allow Christian bishops to put an end to a heretical position supported by Arius and his followers.
