Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Christian heresy of the 5th and 6th centuries: Monophysitism is a theological doctrine and historical movement that was declared heretical by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD.
   • Belief in a single nature in Christ: It is the belief that Jesus Christ has only one nature, a single divine nature, as opposed to the orthodox doctrine of two distinct natures (human and divine) united in one person.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The council condemned Monophysitism as a deviation from accepted Christian teaching.
  • Some Eastern churches were historically accused of Monophysitism, though they often prefer the term "Miaphysitism" to describe their Christology.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and Theological Context: The term is used primarily in historical, theological, and ecumenical discussions about early Church controversies and the schisms that followed.
  • Scholars debate the precise distinctions between ancient Monophysitism and the Christology of modern Oriental Orthodox churches.

Variants and Related Words

• Monophysite (noun): An adherent of Monophysitism.
  • The Monophysites were influential in several regions of the early Christian East.
• Monophysite (adjective): Pertaining to Monophysitism or its adherents.
  • Monophysite theology was a major point of contention.
• Miaphysitism (noun): A related but often distinct Christological term used by some churches historically labeled as Monophysite, emphasizing one united nature from two.

Synonyms

• Heretical Christology (in a historical Christian context).
• One-nature doctrine.

Antonyms

• Dyophysitism: The doctrine of two natures (human and divine) in Christ, upheld as orthodox by the Council of Chalcedon.
• Chalcedonian Orthodoxy: The Christological definition affirming two natures in one person.

Noun

1. a Christian heresy of the 5th and 6th centuries that challenged the orthodox definition of the two natures (human and divine) in Jesus and instead believed there was a single divine nature