African theologians look to Nicene Creed’s anniversary year to reshape spiritual future
An 18th century Russian icon of the First Council of Nicea. (Public Domain)
As Christian denominations in Africa join the preparation for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, clerics, theologians, and laypeople are embracing the moment as a chance to reshape the continent’s spiritual and social future.
The gathering of bishops in Nicaea (now Iznik, in Turkey) in 325 was called by Roman Emperor Constantine to settle factionalism in the early church caused by Arianism, a theology that said Jesus was not divine, that originated in Africa.
“Why it was held is because an African cleric like myself raised issues that needed to be addressed concerning the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,” said Stephen Njure, a Catholic Church historian at Moi University in western Kenya. “That is Arius. Arius came up with a heresy that necessitated the council.”
