I've been reading about the attacks on Christians in Iraq and it got me thinking about the old Monophisite controvery. As I understand it Chaldians are in communion with the Pope. The Assyrian/Nestorian Church is not in communion with Rome, and it seems to involve the Monophysite controversy. Monophysites see God and Man united in ONE nature as Jesus. Catholics hold that 2 natures are perfect and distinct in the person of Jesus.

I'm sure there are additional histoical reasons for the lack of communion with Rome. But I'm having trouble seeing the real difference. It almost seems like some sort of semantic ordeal.

Can someone spell it out to me in a simple way?

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 16, 2004

Answers

As a bump, it almost seems like something could be worked out here.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 16, 2004.

What would seem to be a minor issue actually has some profound ramifications. Understanding that Jesus was both fully man and fully God is extremely important. We believe that Jesus "laid aside" his divine nature and chose to function here on earth as a man. He resisted temptations that are natural to man, rather than rely on his divine nature which could not be tempted. He performed miracles as a man filled with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, rather than using his all-powerful divine nature. He walked in obedience to the will of the Father as communicated to him through the Holy Spirit rather than his own will. He limited his knowledge to what he experienced as a man and what he was taught by the Holy Spirit rather than have access to his all-knowing divine nature.

There's more, of course, but the point being that in order to have a proper and pure sacrifice to atone for man's sins, a perfect, sinless man had to die to pay the price for all sin. Someone subject to all of the temptations, fears and frailities of every man in order to repair the damage that Adam had done.

There are probably far better and more complete explanations, but I thought I'd contribute a few things off the top of my head. Hope that helps.

David

-- non-Catholic Christian (non@spam.com), October 18, 2004.

I understand the Monophysites/Nestorians are pretty close to a statement of agreement with the Catholic church. Both sides now tend to think that most of the differences arose due to words having rather different meanings in different languages.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), October 19, 2004.

Dave,

Thanks for your reponse and I understand what you mean. I think you are describing an almost Arian (from Arius) position. I see the important differentiation in your point.

But have to agree with Steve with regard to the Assyrian Church it does seem to have a very linguistic/semantic slant. A chiasm that might be able to be crossed. Maybe they aren't strictly monphysites.

However I think its very hard to be separated from Rome for centuries and then come back. Its almost a nationalistic problem and we all know how unyielding issues of nationalism can be.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 19, 2004.