Christianity and the Arian Controversy

The late Roman empire saw a significant increase of Christian followers. The majority of traditional Romans viewed this rapid growth as a threat to Roman tradition, and even a threat to the prosperity of the empire. In some instances it became such a large issue, that massive persecutions had been implemented against worshipers of the new faith. These persecutions took place on and off for hundreds of years, Christians remained unable to worship legally until the rise of Constantine the Great. The legality of Christianity proved to be a huge accomplishment for Christians throughout the empire, but with its rise came controversy. Once an established as a legal practice, it became imperative to create concrete Christian beliefs. Because Christians were spread out around the large Roman Empire, followers at different locations practiced a variety of rituals. As long as all worshipers shared the same beliefs, the diversity did not prove to be a problem. In the early fourth century though, controversy erupted in the city of Alexandria when a Christian priest named Arius openly criticized the beliefs of Bishop Alexander on the divinity of Jesus. A priest criticizing his superior looked bad enough, but the nature of his criticism is what incited one of the most significant controversies throughout the history of Christianity. The Arian Controversy took place from 318 until it ended in 381. One side of the debate included the priest Arius who believed that Jesus had been created by God and therefore, could not be fully divine. Arius argued that Jesus had been born a man, and ascended into heaven a divine being after living a life without sin. Bishop Athanasius led the other side of the controversy. He believed that Jesus had been divine before his birth. He therefore descended onto Earth fully divine, and eternal like his father. This debate lasted more than half a century, with the balance of power constantly shifting from one side to the next.