Talk:Anomoean

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[edit] Origins

Eunomius, a Cappadocian rhetor, met Aetius while studying in Alexandria and became an ardent supporter and disciple. Together, they propounded a doctrine that represented an extreme form of Arianism, diametrically opposed to the “homoousios.” If the term “homoousios” seemed to many to be dangerously close to Sabellianism, the “anomoios” now dramatized the dangers of a strict opposition to “homoousios,” an opposition which threatened to strip the Son of a substantial claim to divinity. The opposition to this anomean doctrine was led by Basil of Ancyra, who had succeeded the deposed Marcellus in 336. While still reluctant to embrace the Nicene “homoousios,” Basil nevertheless insisted that the Son’s likeness to the Father must pertain to essence (homoiousios). To deny a likeness of essence, argued Basil of Ancyra, is to “say in effect that the Son is not a Son, but only a creature, and the Father not a Father but only a Creator.” 22 In 358, Basil summoned a council in Ancyra which condemned “anomoian” doctrine and persuaded the emperor to banish both Aetius and Eunomius.

The banishment of radical anomeans and the ascendancy of Basil of Ancyra, with his seemingly middle position between homoousian and anomean theology, seemed to Constantius to represent an opportunity for a final resolution.

from Athanasius: The Structure of His Thought by Khaled Anatolios

Seems to indicate the origination with Eunomius, which is pertinent to this article, and the political significance in the Empire. L Hamm 21:09, 25 January 2006 (UTC)