MONOTHELISM Meaning and
Definition
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Monothelism, also known as monotheletism, is a theological doctrine that emerged in the 7th century AD and had significant implications for early Christian theology. The term itself is derived from the Greek words "monos" meaning "one" and "thelēsis" meaning "will", thus emphasizing the belief in a single will.
Monothelism posits that Jesus Christ, as the incarnate Son of God, possessed two natures – one divine and one human – but only one will. This doctrine was proposed as a compromise between the Monotheistic teachings (which held that Christ had only a divine nature) and the Dyophysite views (which argued for two wills in Christ, divine and human). The proponents of Monothelism, particularly the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius and the patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople, aimed to unify the divided Christendom by promoting the idea of a single will in Christ, thereby avoiding theological controversies.
However, Monothelism faced significant opposition, notably from Pope Honorius I and many Western bishops who staunchly defended the concept of two wills in Christ. The debate on Monothelism eventually culminated in the Third Council of Constantinople in 680-681 AD, where the doctrine was condemned as heretical. This council affirmed the presence of two wills in Christ, divine and human, thus solidifying the Byzantine Orthodoxy's position on Christological doctrine.
In summary, Monothelism is a theological doctrine that suggests Jesus Christ possessed one divine-human nature but only one will. Although it gained prominence in the Byzantine Empire, it was ultimately rejected by the majority of Christendom as the belief in two wills prevailed.
Common Misspellings for MONOTHELISM
- nonothelism
- konothelism
- jonothelism
- minothelism
- mknothelism
- mlnothelism
- mpnothelism
- m0nothelism
- m9nothelism
- mobothelism
- momothelism
- mojothelism
- mohothelism
- monithelism
- monkthelism
- monlthelism
- monpthelism
- mon0thelism
- mon9thelism
- monorhelism
Etymology of MONOTHELISM
The word "Monothelism" is derived from two Greek roots: "mono-" meaning "one" and "thelema" meaning "will".
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