What is Arianism?

Arianism is known as the set of doctrines founded by Arius (256-336 AD) that are characterized by denying the same divine condition between Jesus and God.

Arianism held that Jesus is not properly God, but the first creature created by the Father, who did not enjoy divinity, and was employed for the creation of the world. With this, Arianism postulated the existence of God alone, and that of a single principle the Father.

On the other hand, the Word could not be linked to God-Father since it is not consubstantial with the Father, nor the Three Divine Persons, and therefore differences arise between them.

In principle, this heresy was supported, and the doctrines were spread throughout the Roman Empire, North Africa, Palestine, Asia Minor, Syria. However, there was a high tension between Catholics and Arians, since for the first Christ is truly the Son and truly God, and they would never approve of separating him.

Although Arianism was considered heresy, condemned at the First Council of Niceo (325), and declared heretical at the First Council of Constantinople (381), it remained a religion in some Germanic peoples until the reign of Recaredo I who He established Catholicism as the official religion of his kingdom.

Currently, there are no vestiges of Arianism but there are certain similarities of other religions with the foundation of the doctrine under study.

Finally, the term Arian, adjective that identifies a follower of Arianism.

Arianism and semiarrianism

Semiarrianism is an intermediate doctrine between Arianism and the First Council of Nicaea (325) that states that Christ was similar to the Father in essence, but not consubstantial with him.

Arianism and Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses show similarity to Arianism, because they postulate that Jesus is a Created Being, who is not eternal or God. As a result, Catholics touch the arduous task of overthrowing that postulate, and defending God’s deity.

Arianism and Nestorianism

Nestorianism is a doctrine that considers Christ separated into two people; a divine part, son of God, and another human, son of Mary, united in one person like Christ.

Arianism and monophysism

Monophysism is a theological doctrine that holds that in the person of Jesus it is only present in the divine and non-human nature.