1.3.18
The Council of Nicaea
The Council of Nicaea
The Council of Nicaea
The Council of Nicaea was a meeting of Christian leaders to debate questions about Jesus.


Early Christian communities
Early Christian communities
- For a long time after Jesus' life, Christians tried very hard to understand him better.
- Early Christian leaders, including St Paul, wrote letters to the early Christians. These letters tried to answer their questions about God and Jesus.
- The ideas in the letters were sometimes hard to understand. The teaching in the letters was sometimes unclear.


Questions about Jesus
Questions about Jesus
- Most Christians were sure that Jesus was God. But this raised some big questions for the early Christians:
- Could Jesus be God and human at the same time?
- If Jesus was God, and there was also God the Father in heaven, do Christians believe in more than one God?


The Council of Nicaea
The Council of Nicaea
- In the 4th Century AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian. This brought a period of peace.
- Constantine said it was important for the Christian leaders to have a meeting.
- At this meeting, the Christian leaders could make a statement about what Christians believe about God and Jesus.
- In 325 AD, Constantine called the leaders to a council (a meeting) in Nicaea.


Arius
Arius
- In the 4th Century AD, there was a lot of discussion about the ideas of a Christian priest called Arius.
- Arius said that if Jesus was fully God, then Christians believed in more than one God.
- This went against the Christian belief that there is only one true God.
- This debate was even more complicated because of the belief that God had shown himself in a third form - the Holy Spirit.
1Year 7
1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith
1.1.1Genesis
1.1.2Noah & the Flood
1.1.3The Importance of Noah
1.1.4Abraham
1.1.5The Covenant
1.1.6Abraham's Sacrifice
1.1.7Ibrahim's Sacrifice
1.1.8Ibrahim & Hajar
1.1.9Ibrahim & the Ka'aba
1.1.10Isaac & Jacob
1.1.11Moses & the Exodus
1.1.12The Tabernacle
1.1.13Leviticus & Sacrifice
1.1.14Teachings in Leviticus
1.1.15Jesus' Teachings
1.1.16Jesus the Rebel
1.1.17Jesus' Death & Resurrection
1.1.18The Meaning of Jesus' Sacrifice
1.1.19The Relationship Between Judaism & Christianity
1.1.20The Ka'aba
1.1.21The Prophet Muhammad
1.2Judaism
1.2.1The Nature of God
1.2.2Creation
1.2.3What Do Jews Believe?
1.2.4Moses
1.2.5Abraham & Moses
1.2.6Tenakh & Talmud
1.2.7Rabbis & Rabbinic Literature
1.2.8The Jewish Scriptures - The Written Law
1.2.9The Jewish Scriptures - The Oral Law
1.2.10The Tradition of Discussion & Debate
1.2.11Orthodox Judaism
1.2.12Reform Judaism
1.2.13The Daily Practices of Orthodox & Reform Jews
1.2.14Morality & Living a Good Life
1.2.15Ethical Duties of Jews
1.2.16Prayer & Acts of Worship
1.2.17Written & Oral Jewish Law
1.2.18Afterlife
1.2.19The First Temple
1.2.20The Tabernacle's Journey & End
1.2.21Orthodox & Reform Synagogues
1.2.22The Daily Service
1.2.23What is Shabbat?
1.2.24Traditional Rituals for Shabbat
1.2.25What is Pesach?
1.2.26What is Yom Kippur?
1.2.27How Have Jews Been Persecuted?
1.2.28The Persecution of the Jews Throughout History
1.2.29The Black Death
1.2.30Antisemitism in Nazi Germany
1.2.31Antisemitism in Nazi Germany 2
1.2.32The Holocaust
1.2.33Genocide
1.2.34How the Holocaust has Impacted the Jewish Identity
1.2.35Holocaust Memorial
1.2.36Global Diversity of Jews
1.2.37Jewish Practices
1.2.38Jewish Celebrations & Rituals
1.3Christianity
1.3.1The Nature of God
1.3.2Creation
1.3.3Roots in Judaism
1.3.4Early Spread of the Faith
1.3.5Roman Persecution
1.3.6Morality & Living a Good Life
1.3.7Afterlife
1.3.8Prayer and Acts of Worship
1.3.9Kinds of Prayer
1.3.10The Nativity
1.3.11Christian Beliefs about the Baby Jesus
1.3.12Jesus' Ministry
1.3.13The Sermon on the Mount
1.3.14The Crucifixion
1.3.15The Last Supper
1.3.16The Resurrection
1.3.17Christian Beliefs about the Resurrection
1.3.18The Council of Nicaea
1.3.19The Nicene Creed
1.3.20Saint Augustine
1.3.21Development of the Christian Church
1.3.22Written Authority - The Bible
1.3.23Interpretation of the Bible
1.3.24Celebrations
1.3.25Pilgrimage
1.3.26Evangelism
1.3.27Protestantism
1.3.28The Reformation
1.3.29Christianity Today
1.3.30Faith Across the World
1.3.31Evangelical Churches
1.3.32The Future of Christianity
1.4Buddhism
1.4.1Religion in India
1.4.2The Caste System
1.4.3Meditation
1.4.4Caste & Religion
1.4.5Puja
1.4.6Karma & the Cycle of Rebirth
1.4.7The Four Noble Truths - Dukkha and Samudaya
1.4.8The Four Noble Truths - Nirhoda and Magga
1.4.9The Three Marks of Existence
1.4.10The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
1.4.11How do Buddhists Live?
1.4.12The Four Sights
1.4.13The Buddha
1.4.14The Middle Way & Enlightenment
2Year 8
2.1Islam
2.2Hinduism
2.2.1The Prehistoric Roots of Hinduism
2.2.2Key Ideas in Hinduism
2.2.3The Caste System
2.2.4The Vedic Period
2.2.5The Upanishads
2.2.6Alexander the Great & The Mauryan Empire
2.2.7Revelation & The Sharing of Knowledge
2.2.8Understanding the Self
2.2.9Karma, Yoga & the Self
2.2.10The Divine Presence
2.2.11Hindu Statues and Icons
2.2.12British Colonialism & Gandhi
2.3Atheism
2.3.1Where Did Atheism Come From?
2.3.2The Impact of Scientific Developments
2.3.3Plato's Cave
2.3.4Challenging the Bible
2.3.5The Enlightenment
2.3.6Evolution
2.3.7Evolution & Religion
2.3.8Morality & God
2.3.9Morality Without God
2.3.10Frederick Nietzsche - How to Live Without Religion
2.3.11Militant Atheism
2.3.12Humanism
2.3.13The Future of Atheism
2.4Philosophy of Religion
2.4.1Who is God?
2.4.2Theists, Atheists & Agnostics
2.4.3Faith & Empiricism
2.4.4The Design Argument
2.4.5Is The Design Argument Convincing?
2.4.6The Cosmological Argument
2.4.7Criticisms of The Cosmological Argument
2.4.8The Problem of Evil
2.4.9Free Will Theodicy
2.4.10Soul-Making Theodicy
2.4.11Religious Experience
2.4.12Types of Religious Experience
2.4.13Criticisms of Religious Experience
3Year 9
3.1Life & Death
3.1.1What is the Right Thing To Do?
3.1.2Thomas Aquinas - Natural Law
3.1.3Building a Moral Code
3.1.4Criticisms of Natural Law
3.1.5Joseph Fletcher - Situation Ethics
3.1.6Understanding Situation Ethics
3.1.7Criticisms of Situation Ethics
3.1.8Sanctity of Life
3.1.9Quality of Life
3.1.10Abortion
3.1.11Moral Questions About Abortion
3.1.12Euthanasia
3.1.13Moral Questions About Euthanasia
3.1.14Capital Punishment
3.1.15Arguments Against Captial Punishment
3.1.16Animal Rights
3.1.17Alternative Views on Animal Rights
3.2Extremism
3.2.1What Does Extremism Mean?
3.2.2Extremism Explained
3.2.3Why do People Become Extremists?
3.2.4Why do People Become Extremists? 2
3.2.5What are Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.6Why do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.7What is Anti-Semitism?
3.2.8Anti-Semitic Stereotyping
3.2.9The Holocaust
3.2.10After the Holocaust
3.2.11Religious Fundamentalism
3.2.12The Problem of Fundamentalism
3.2.13Nationalism
3.2.14Nationalism & Extremism
3.2.15What is a Terrorist?
3.2.16Political & Religious Terrorism
3.2.17Free Speech & Hate Speech
3.2.18Hate Speech
3.2.19How do we Fight Extremism?
3.2.20How do we Fight Extremism? 2
3.3Equality
3.3.1Introduction to Equality
3.3.2Is the UK an Equal Society?
3.3.3Religion & Equality
3.3.4Interpreting the Scripture
3.3.5Racism & Scripture
3.3.6Scripture Against Racism
3.3.7The Fight for Racial Equality
3.3.8Gender Equality & Scripture
3.3.9Gender Equality; Women in Worship
3.3.10LGBTQ+ Matters
3.3.11The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality
3.3.12Disability Matters
3.3.13The Fight for Disability Equality
4Additional Concepts
4.1Non-Religious People in the UK
4.2Believing in God Oustide of Religion
Jump to other topics
1Year 7
1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith
1.1.1Genesis
1.1.2Noah & the Flood
1.1.3The Importance of Noah
1.1.4Abraham
1.1.5The Covenant
1.1.6Abraham's Sacrifice
1.1.7Ibrahim's Sacrifice
1.1.8Ibrahim & Hajar
1.1.9Ibrahim & the Ka'aba
1.1.10Isaac & Jacob
1.1.11Moses & the Exodus
1.1.12The Tabernacle
1.1.13Leviticus & Sacrifice
1.1.14Teachings in Leviticus
1.1.15Jesus' Teachings
1.1.16Jesus the Rebel
1.1.17Jesus' Death & Resurrection
1.1.18The Meaning of Jesus' Sacrifice
1.1.19The Relationship Between Judaism & Christianity
1.1.20The Ka'aba
1.1.21The Prophet Muhammad
1.2Judaism
1.2.1The Nature of God
1.2.2Creation
1.2.3What Do Jews Believe?
1.2.4Moses
1.2.5Abraham & Moses
1.2.6Tenakh & Talmud
1.2.7Rabbis & Rabbinic Literature
1.2.8The Jewish Scriptures - The Written Law
1.2.9The Jewish Scriptures - The Oral Law
1.2.10The Tradition of Discussion & Debate
1.2.11Orthodox Judaism
1.2.12Reform Judaism
1.2.13The Daily Practices of Orthodox & Reform Jews
1.2.14Morality & Living a Good Life
1.2.15Ethical Duties of Jews
1.2.16Prayer & Acts of Worship
1.2.17Written & Oral Jewish Law
1.2.18Afterlife
1.2.19The First Temple
1.2.20The Tabernacle's Journey & End
1.2.21Orthodox & Reform Synagogues
1.2.22The Daily Service
1.2.23What is Shabbat?
1.2.24Traditional Rituals for Shabbat
1.2.25What is Pesach?
1.2.26What is Yom Kippur?
1.2.27How Have Jews Been Persecuted?
1.2.28The Persecution of the Jews Throughout History
1.2.29The Black Death
1.2.30Antisemitism in Nazi Germany
1.2.31Antisemitism in Nazi Germany 2
1.2.32The Holocaust
1.2.33Genocide
1.2.34How the Holocaust has Impacted the Jewish Identity
1.2.35Holocaust Memorial
1.2.36Global Diversity of Jews
1.2.37Jewish Practices
1.2.38Jewish Celebrations & Rituals
1.3Christianity
1.3.1The Nature of God
1.3.2Creation
1.3.3Roots in Judaism
1.3.4Early Spread of the Faith
1.3.5Roman Persecution
1.3.6Morality & Living a Good Life
1.3.7Afterlife
1.3.8Prayer and Acts of Worship
1.3.9Kinds of Prayer
1.3.10The Nativity
1.3.11Christian Beliefs about the Baby Jesus
1.3.12Jesus' Ministry
1.3.13The Sermon on the Mount
1.3.14The Crucifixion
1.3.15The Last Supper
1.3.16The Resurrection
1.3.17Christian Beliefs about the Resurrection
1.3.18The Council of Nicaea
1.3.19The Nicene Creed
1.3.20Saint Augustine
1.3.21Development of the Christian Church
1.3.22Written Authority - The Bible
1.3.23Interpretation of the Bible
1.3.24Celebrations
1.3.25Pilgrimage
1.3.26Evangelism
1.3.27Protestantism
1.3.28The Reformation
1.3.29Christianity Today
1.3.30Faith Across the World
1.3.31Evangelical Churches
1.3.32The Future of Christianity
1.4Buddhism
1.4.1Religion in India
1.4.2The Caste System
1.4.3Meditation
1.4.4Caste & Religion
1.4.5Puja
1.4.6Karma & the Cycle of Rebirth
1.4.7The Four Noble Truths - Dukkha and Samudaya
1.4.8The Four Noble Truths - Nirhoda and Magga
1.4.9The Three Marks of Existence
1.4.10The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
1.4.11How do Buddhists Live?
1.4.12The Four Sights
1.4.13The Buddha
1.4.14The Middle Way & Enlightenment
2Year 8
2.1Islam
2.2Hinduism
2.2.1The Prehistoric Roots of Hinduism
2.2.2Key Ideas in Hinduism
2.2.3The Caste System
2.2.4The Vedic Period
2.2.5The Upanishads
2.2.6Alexander the Great & The Mauryan Empire
2.2.7Revelation & The Sharing of Knowledge
2.2.8Understanding the Self
2.2.9Karma, Yoga & the Self
2.2.10The Divine Presence
2.2.11Hindu Statues and Icons
2.2.12British Colonialism & Gandhi
2.3Atheism
2.3.1Where Did Atheism Come From?
2.3.2The Impact of Scientific Developments
2.3.3Plato's Cave
2.3.4Challenging the Bible
2.3.5The Enlightenment
2.3.6Evolution
2.3.7Evolution & Religion
2.3.8Morality & God
2.3.9Morality Without God
2.3.10Frederick Nietzsche - How to Live Without Religion
2.3.11Militant Atheism
2.3.12Humanism
2.3.13The Future of Atheism
2.4Philosophy of Religion
2.4.1Who is God?
2.4.2Theists, Atheists & Agnostics
2.4.3Faith & Empiricism
2.4.4The Design Argument
2.4.5Is The Design Argument Convincing?
2.4.6The Cosmological Argument
2.4.7Criticisms of The Cosmological Argument
2.4.8The Problem of Evil
2.4.9Free Will Theodicy
2.4.10Soul-Making Theodicy
2.4.11Religious Experience
2.4.12Types of Religious Experience
2.4.13Criticisms of Religious Experience
3Year 9
3.1Life & Death
3.1.1What is the Right Thing To Do?
3.1.2Thomas Aquinas - Natural Law
3.1.3Building a Moral Code
3.1.4Criticisms of Natural Law
3.1.5Joseph Fletcher - Situation Ethics
3.1.6Understanding Situation Ethics
3.1.7Criticisms of Situation Ethics
3.1.8Sanctity of Life
3.1.9Quality of Life
3.1.10Abortion
3.1.11Moral Questions About Abortion
3.1.12Euthanasia
3.1.13Moral Questions About Euthanasia
3.1.14Capital Punishment
3.1.15Arguments Against Captial Punishment
3.1.16Animal Rights
3.1.17Alternative Views on Animal Rights
3.2Extremism
3.2.1What Does Extremism Mean?
3.2.2Extremism Explained
3.2.3Why do People Become Extremists?
3.2.4Why do People Become Extremists? 2
3.2.5What are Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.6Why do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.7What is Anti-Semitism?
3.2.8Anti-Semitic Stereotyping
3.2.9The Holocaust
3.2.10After the Holocaust
3.2.11Religious Fundamentalism
3.2.12The Problem of Fundamentalism
3.2.13Nationalism
3.2.14Nationalism & Extremism
3.2.15What is a Terrorist?
3.2.16Political & Religious Terrorism
3.2.17Free Speech & Hate Speech
3.2.18Hate Speech
3.2.19How do we Fight Extremism?
3.2.20How do we Fight Extremism? 2
3.3Equality
3.3.1Introduction to Equality
3.3.2Is the UK an Equal Society?
3.3.3Religion & Equality
3.3.4Interpreting the Scripture
3.3.5Racism & Scripture
3.3.6Scripture Against Racism
3.3.7The Fight for Racial Equality
3.3.8Gender Equality & Scripture
3.3.9Gender Equality; Women in Worship
3.3.10LGBTQ+ Matters
3.3.11The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality
3.3.12Disability Matters
3.3.13The Fight for Disability Equality
4Additional Concepts
4.1Non-Religious People in the UK
4.2Believing in God Oustide of Religion
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