Apollinarianism is a heretical doctrine that emerged in the 4th century, gaining attention for its controversial view on the nature of Jesus Christ. The doctrine is named after Apollinaris of Laodicea, a bishop who sought to explain the relationship between Christ’s divinity and humanity. In his effort to preserve the full divinity of Christ, Apollinaris proposed a belief that would eventually be rejected by the early Church for its serious theological implications. His view suggested that while Jesus was fully divine, He was not fully human in the same sense as other people. Instead, Apollinaris argued that Christ’s human soul was replaced by the divine Logos (Word). This controversial stance ultimately led to Apollinarianism being condemned by Church leaders as inconsistent with the biblical understanding of the Incarnation.
This blog will explore why Apollinarianism was wrong, examining the doctrinal errors in its portrayal of Christ’s nature, its rejection by the early Church, and the theological consequences it caused.
What is Apollinarianism?
Apollinarianism is the belief that while Jesus Christ was fully divine, He was not fully human in the way other humans are. According to Apollinaris of Laodicea, Christ’s divine Logos, or the Word, replaced the human rational soul (the “nous”) that would typically make up a person’s human nature. In this view, Jesus’ body and soul were human, but His mind was entirely divine. This means that, according to Apollinarianism, Christ did not possess a fully human rational soul or mind, as the divine Logos took its place.
Apollinaris developed this view in response to the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Christ. His intent was to safeguard Christ’s divinity and assert that Jesus was truly divine, in contrast to the Arian view that considered Christ a created being. However, in focusing on preserving Christ’s divinity, Apollinaris overlooked a fundamental aspect of Christian teaching—that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. By proposing that Christ’s humanity was incomplete, Apollinarianism diminished the essential truth of the Incarnation, which holds that Jesus fully entered into the human experience, including having a complete human mind and soul. This imbalance led to its eventual rejection by the broader Christian tradition.
Why is Apollinarianism Wrong?
Denial of the Full Humanity of Christ
At the core of Apollinarianism is the denial of Christ’s full humanity. By proposing that the divine Logos replaced Jesus’ human rational soul, Apollinaris undermined the Christian understanding of the Incarnation, which teaches that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. This belief directly contradicts the clear affirmation found in the Nicene Creed, which declares that Jesus is “begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,” and that He is both “fully God and fully man.” According to orthodox Christianity, Jesus’ human nature must be complete—body, soul, and mind—so that He could fully identify with humanity.
Biblical evidence strongly affirms the full humanity of Christ. For example, in Hebrews 4:15, Scripture states that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” This emphasizes His full human experience of temptation and suffering. Furthermore, in Matthew 26:38, Jesus experiences deep sorrow in Gethsemane, expressing, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” This reflects a full human emotional experience. In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” This expression of anguish from the cross indicates a genuine human experience of abandonment and distress. These verses affirm that Christ’s humanity was complete, and Apollinarianism’s claim that Christ lacked a human rational soul contradicts these biblical depictions of His full human nature.
Theological Implications
Atonement: One of the most significant theological problems with Apollinarianism is its impact on the doctrine of the atonement. The atonement, central to Christian belief, requires that Jesus fully identify with humanity to reconcile humanity to God. If Jesus did not possess a complete human nature, including a human mind, He could not truly stand in for all of humanity. For Jesus to be an adequate Savior, He must experience all aspects of human life, including the ability to be tempted and to suffer, in a complete human way. A half-human Christ, as suggested by Apollinarianism, would fail to represent the whole of humanity and thus would not provide a complete atonement.
Sinlessness of Christ: Apollinarianism’s view also creates a theological problem with the sinlessness of Christ. According to Hebrews 4:15, Jesus was tempted “in every way, just as we are,” yet He did not sin. If Christ’s mind was entirely divine, it would mean that His experience of temptation was not truly human. A divine mind could not be tempted in the same way that a human mind could, which would imply that Jesus’ sinlessness was not the result of His true humanity overcoming temptation, but rather a result of His divine nature being incapable of sinning. This would contradict the biblical understanding that Jesus, in His full humanity, was tempted just as humans are, yet without sin.
The Church’s Response
The early Church firmly rejected Apollinarianism, and this rejection was solidified at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. The Council condemned Apollinarianism as heretical, affirming the doctrine of the full humanity and full divinity of Christ. This was crucial because the Church understood that without the full humanity of Christ, the foundation of salvation itself would be undermined.
Key theological figures, such as Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa, played critical roles in opposing Apollinarianism. Gregory of Nazianzus, in particular, argued that if Christ lacked a human soul, He could not experience the fullness of human suffering and temptation, which were necessary for His role as the Savior. The rejection of Apollinarianism was further reinforced by the Nicene Creed, which was reaffirmed at the Council of Constantinople, clearly declaring that Jesus Christ is “of one substance with the Father” and affirming His full humanity and full divinity.
Christ’s Role as a Model for Humanity
Apollinarianism also complicates the understanding of Jesus as the perfect model for human life. Christians believe that Jesus, as both fully divine and fully human, provides the ultimate example for how to live in relationship with God and others. If Jesus did not fully experience human thought, emotion, and suffering, He could not serve as an adequate model for human behavior. The full humanity of Christ is essential for Christians to follow His example in the pursuit of holiness and righteousness.
In a world where Christians are called to emulate Christ’s example of love, sacrifice, and obedience, the truth that Jesus was fully human is crucial. His life shows that it is possible for human beings to live in perfect submission to God, overcoming temptation and living according to divine will. If Jesus was not fully human, His example would be inaccessible and unattainable for human beings. Therefore, the doctrine of the full humanity of Christ is essential for Christians to understand how to live holy and righteous lives.
Conclusion
Apollinarianism is wrong because it distorts the foundational Christian doctrine of the Incarnation by denying the full humanity of Christ. By claiming that Christ’s divine Logos replaced His human rational soul, Apollinarianism presents a Christ who is not fully human in the same way as other humans. This view undermines the biblical and doctrinal truth that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, a truth essential for understanding His role as Savior and model for Christians.
The full humanity and divinity of Christ are indispensable for His ability to serve as the perfect mediator between God and humanity. Only as a fully human and fully divine Savior could Jesus offer a complete atonement for the sins of the world. Furthermore, His perfect human life serves as the model for all believers, showing them how to live in accordance with God’s will.
The early Church decisively rejected Apollinarianism, reaffirming the doctrine of the full humanity and divinity of Christ at the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD). The Nicene Creed, with its clear affirmation of Christ’s dual nature, remains the foundation of orthodox Christian belief, safeguarding the true understanding of the Incarnation and its essential role in salvation.
Resources for Further Study
For those interested in a deeper understanding of Apollinarianism and its rejection by the Church, the following resources are highly recommended:
- The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 7: Gregory of Nazianzus
- The First Council of Constantinople (381 AD)
- “The Incarnation: A Doctrinal Study” by James D. G. Dunn
- “The Cambridge History of Christian Doctrine, Volume 1: From the Apostolic Age to Chalcedon”
- “Early Christian Doctrines” by J. N. D. Kelly
FAQs About Apollinarianism
1. What is Apollinarianism?
Apollinarianism is a heretical belief that emerged in the 4th century, proposed by Apollinaris of Laodicea. It asserts that Jesus Christ, while fully divine, was not fully human in the same way as other humans. Specifically, Apollinaris claimed that Christ’s divine Logos (the Word) took the place of the human rational soul, or “nous,” in Jesus, leaving His body and soul incomplete in a human sense.
2. Why is Apollinarianism considered wrong by the Church?
Apollinarianism is wrong because it denies the full humanity of Christ, which is central to Christian doctrine. The Church teaches that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, a truth expressed in the Nicene Creed. By claiming that Jesus lacked a complete human soul and mind, Apollinarianism undermines the doctrine of the Incarnation and the completeness of Christ’s atonement for humanity’s sins.
3. What does the Nicene Creed say about the nature of Christ?
The Nicene Creed affirms that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. It states that Christ is “begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,” emphasizing that He is not only divine but also truly human. This doctrine is essential for understanding Christ’s role in salvation and His ability to serve as the perfect mediator between God and humanity.
4. What is the biblical basis for rejecting Apollinarianism?
The Bible teaches that Jesus was fully human in every way. For example, Hebrews 4:15 states that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” This implies that Jesus had a human mind and emotions, experiencing the full range of human experiences. Similarly, in Matthew 26:38, Jesus expresses deep sorrow, and in Matthew 27:46, He cries out in anguish, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” These passages show that Jesus had a full human nature, including a rational soul and mind.
5. How does Apollinarianism affect the doctrine of atonement?
In Christian theology, atonement requires that Jesus fully identify with humanity in order to reconcile us with God. If Jesus did not have a human mind, as Apollinarianism suggests, He could not truly experience human suffering, temptation, or the depth of our fallen condition. This would mean that His atonement—His sacrifice for sin—would be incomplete because He could not fully represent humanity in His experience of suffering and temptation.
6. What was the Church’s response to Apollinarianism?
The Church officially rejected Apollinarianism at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. The Council reaffirmed the doctrine of the full divinity and full humanity of Christ, which was central to the Nicene Creed. Church Fathers like Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa played key roles in opposing Apollinarianism, emphasizing that a fully human Christ was necessary for the redemption of humanity.
7. Why is it important that Christ is fully human?
For Christians, the full humanity of Christ is crucial for understanding His role as a model for human life and a representative of humanity before God. Jesus, being both divine and human, offers the perfect example of how to live in holiness and righteousness. He is also the true mediator who fully identifies with human suffering and temptation, making Him the perfect Savior who can reconcile humanity with God.
8. What do other heresies related to Christ’s nature say?
Apollinarianism is just one of several heresies concerning the nature of Christ. Other heresies include Arianism, which denies the full divinity of Christ, and Nestorianism, which suggests a division between Christ’s divine and human natures. These heresies were rejected by the Church as they distorted the biblical teachings about Christ’s nature and mission.