Monothelitism (Noun)
Meaning
The theological doctrine that Christ had only one will even though he had two natures (human and divine); condemned as heretical in the Third Council of Constantinople.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The theological doctrine of monothelitism was widely debated in the early Christian church, with some arguing that Christ's human and divine natures shared a single will.
- The Council of Constantinople in 680 CE condemned monothelitism as a heresy, affirming instead the orthodox view that Christ had two wills, one human and one divine.
- Monothelitism was seen as a threat to the orthodox understanding of Christ's nature, as it seemed to blur the lines between his human and divine aspects.
- The controversy over monothelitism led to a deeper exploration of the relationship between Christ's human and divine wills, and the implications for Christian theology.
- Despite its condemnation, monothelitism continued to influence Christian thought, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, where it remains a topic of ongoing theological debate.