Monothelitism

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Monothelitism (a Greek loanword meaning "one will") is a particular teaching about how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus, known as a Christological doctrine, that began in Armenia and Syria in 633 C.E. Specifically, Monothelitism teaches that Jesus Christ had two natures but only one will. This is contrary to the orthodox interpretation of Christology, which teaches that Jesus Christ has two wills (human and divine) corresponding to his two natures. Monothelitism is a development of the Monophysite position in the Christological debates. It enjoyed considerable support in the 7th century before being rejected as heretical.

History

The Christological definition of Chalcedon states that Jesus was one person with two natures (the dyophysite position), in opposition to the Monophysite position that Jesus was one person with one nature.

The Monothelite teaching emerged as a compromise position. The Monophysites could agree that Jesus had two natures if he only had one will, and some Chalcedonians could agree that Jesus had one will if he had two natures.

Perhaps at the suggestion of Emperor Heraclius (610–641 AD), the Monothelite position was promulgated by Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople (patriarch 610–638 AD). The Monothelite position gained favor in the Church for a time, and spread under Pope Honorius I (pope 625–638 AD).

Monothelitism was officially condemned at the Third Council of Constantinople (the Sixth Ecumenical Council, 680–681 AD). The churches condemned at Constantinople include the Oriental Orthodox churches and the Maronite church, although they now deny that they ever held the Monothelite view (they describe their own Christology as Miaphysite). Christians in England rejected the Monothelite position at the Council of Hatfield in 680 AD.

Notable Figures in the Monothelite Debate

• Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople — a supporter of the monothelite position
• Bishop Cyrus of Alexandria — one of the originators of the monothelite position
• Pope Honorius I — Condemned at Constantinople for his failure to combat Monothelitism
• Pope Martin I — Martyred by Byzantine authorities for his condemnation of Monothelitism at the First Lateran Synod
• Maximus the Confessor — Martyred by Byzantine authorities for his condemnation of Monothelitism
• Pope Agatho — Condemned Monothelitsm at the Council of Constantinople

See also

• Monophysitism
• Chalcedonian
• Miaphysite
• Papal Oath (Liber Diurnus)

References

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Monothelitism and Monothelites

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Last updated on Friday March 14, 2008 at 00:00:02 PDT (GMT -0700)
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