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podcast 172 – The Creed of the Long Lines (344)

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In 344 a meeting of Eastern bishops assembled at Antioch, and they decided to send a delegation to the west with a statement explaining their theology. What they sent was a rerun of a creed from 342, but with additions from 343, and their own lengthy explanations added to the end. These are most revealing. This creed is call “the Macrostich” or the Long-lined Creed or the Creed of the Long Lines. In this episode we find out why these bishops say that:

  • Christ is “God” but not “true God”
  • the Son is generated by God’s choice or will, “apart from time”
  • that Father, Son, and Spirit are a triad of three realities
  • the Son to be (ontologically and functionally) subordinate to the Father
  • it is OK to describe the Son as (uniquely) “created
  • that the Father and the Son are not two gods

Avoiding as much controversial, non-biblical language as they thought they could, they hoped this creed would be acceptable all around, even to partisans of the 325 creed at Nicea. In this episode, you’ll hear a detailed analysis of their theology, and you’ll find out whether their hopes for unity were realized or dashed.

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4 thoughts on “podcast 172 – The Creed of the Long Lines (344)”

    1. Hmmm… yes I see that it’s suddenly gone dead on iTunes. Although I’ve been told that there can be a 24-hr delay there. I’m digging under the hood now to diagnose the problem – thanks for the alert, John.

      1. Ep 172 is on Google Play and Stitcher, so the feed doesn’t seem to be broken… an iTunes problem? Most podcatchers use their directory. Still working on it.

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