Biblical Techniques for the Interpretation of the Nicene Creed. The Case of Athanasius' De synodis

Abstract

The Trinitarian controversy, in the 350s, focused its attention upon synodical texts, because the term «consubstantial» (ὁμοούσιος), proclaimed by the synod of Nicaea (325), was rejected by many eastern bishops. For the first time, an important theological discussion was shaped not only by the interpretation of the Scripture but by the understanding of a creed. Within this new institutional and theological context, Athanasius of Alexandria, in his work De synodis (359), made a serious attempt to establish some criteria for interpreting synodical texts. The present article studies Athanasius’ effort to apply biblical hermeneutical criteria to the interpretation of synodical documents. In order to study this innovative contribution of Athanasius, the present article firstly reviews the historical and theological context of his activity, secondly it examines each of the objections against the Nicaean creed and the solutions offered by the Bishop of Alexandria, and finally it detects the rationale of Athanasius' interpretation of synodical documents and its significance for the formation of Christian discourse.