Arianism

: This article is about theological views like those of Arius. Aryan is an unrelated ethnic concept.

Beliefs

Because most contemporary written material on Arianism was written by its opponents, the nature of Arius' teachings are difficult to define precisely today. The letter of Auxentiushttp://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/texts/auxentius.trans.html, a 4th century Arian bishop of Milan, regarding the missionary Ulfilas, gives the clearest picture of Arian beliefs on the nature of the Trinity: God the Father ("unbegotten"), always existing, was separate from the lesser Jesus Christ ("only-begotten"), born before time began and creator of the world. The Father, working through the Son, created the Holy Spirit, who was subservient to the Son as the Son was to the Father. The Father was seen as "the only true God." I Corinthians 8:5-6 was cited as proof text:

Related Topics:
Auxentius - 4th century - Bishop of Milan - Ulfilas - Trinity

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:"Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth ? as in fact there are many gods and many lords ? yet for us there is one God (theos), the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord (kyrios), Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." (NRSV)

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