SEMIARIAN Meaning and
Definition
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SemiArian is an adjective that refers to a person or belief system associated with a theological position related to the Arianism heresy. Arianism was a Christian theological belief system developed by Arius (c. 250-336 CE) that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. SemiArian, as the name implies, indicates a moderate stance between Arianism and mainstream Christian orthodoxy.
A SemiArian person typically adheres to the belief that Jesus Christ is highly exalted and divine but not fully equal to God the Father in terms of essence or divine nature. This position acknowledges Jesus as a unique and highly exalted being, often described as the "Son of God," who participates in and shares divine characteristics, but still falls short of being fully God.
SemiArianism emerged as an attempted compromise during the fourth-century debates on Christology, seeking to respect both the divinity and distinction of Jesus while avoiding the theological controversies that divided Christian communities. It gained support from influential theologians like Eusebius of Caesarea and was particularly influential in East Roman Empire regions.
However, SemiArianism was ultimately rejected as heretical by the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, which affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity and the full divinity of Jesus Christ. Despite its rejection, the remnants of SemiArian thought continued to exist for some time, often manifesting through other heterodox movements or in the thought of individuals who rejected mainstream Trinitarian beliefs.
Common Misspellings for SEMIARIAN
- semirian
- aemiarian
- zemiarian
- xemiarian
- demiarian
- eemiarian
- wemiarian
- swmiarian
- ssmiarian
- sdmiarian
- srmiarian
- s4miarian
- s3miarian
- seniarian
- sekiarian
- sejiarian
- semuarian
- semjarian
- semkarian
- semoarian
Etymology of SEMIARIAN
The word "Semi-Arian" is derived from the term "Arian", which refers to the teachings of Arius, an Alexandrian presbyter in the 4th century.
Arius believed that Jesus Christ was created by God the Father and therefore of a different essence than the Father. This view challenged the traditional Christian belief in the Trinity, which holds that Jesus is co-eternal and consubstantial with God the Father.
In response to Arius' teachings, a movement emerged that sought a middle ground between Arianism and traditional Trinitarianism. This group, which rejected the extreme views of Arius but also disagreed with the Trinitarian position, came to be known as "Semi-Arians" or "Semi-Arianism".
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