Assignment Content
Course: CHHI 301 – History of the Christian Church I
Assignment: Research Paper – The Council of Nicaea and Christological Orthodoxy
Due Date: Sunday by 11:59 PM (End of Module/Week 6)
Points: 200
Format: Turabian (Current Edition)
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Assignment Overview
In this module, you will demonstrate your ability to analyze critical turning points in early church history. The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) stands as a watershed moment in the definition of Christological orthodoxy and the relationship between the Church and the Empire. This assignment requires you to move beyond a mere recounting of events; you must engage in a historical and theological analysis of the controversy, the council’s proceedings, and its lasting legacy.
Sample Answer Content: The Council of Nicaea was not merely a reaction to Arianism but a pivotal moment where the Church sought to articulate the ontology of Christ in relation to the Father using precise philosophical language. By affirming that the Son is homoousios (of the same substance) with the Father, the Council established a boundary marker for orthodoxy that would shape Christian dogma for centuries. However, the immediate aftermath of the council revealed that the imposition of a creed did not instantly quell theological dissent, as imperial politics continued to influence ecclesiastical unity.
Instructions
Write a 1,200–1,500-word research paper (approximately 5–6 pages, excluding the title page and bibliography) on the Council of Nicaea. Your paper must address the following components:
- Historical Context: Briefly describe the rise of Arianism and the theological crisis that necessitated the council. What were the core arguments of Arius and Alexander?
- The Imperial Intervention: Analyze the role of Emperor Constantine in convening the council. To what extent was his motivation political unity versus theological purity?
- Theological Analysis: Explicate the term homoousios. Why was this term controversial? How did it resolve (or fail to resolve) the tension between monotheism and the divinity of Christ?
- Legacy: Evaluate the long-term impact of the Nicene Creed on the development of Trinitarian theology.
Submission Requirements
To receive full credit, your submission must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Sources: You must use the Bible and a minimum of five (5) scholarly sources published within the last 10 years. Acceptable sources include academic journal articles, commentaries, and historical monographs. Websites (e.g., Wikipedia, personal blogs) are not permitted.
- Formatting: The paper must follow the Turabian (Chicago Style) format. This includes a title page, footnotes for citations, and a bibliography.
- Thesis Statement: The introduction must contain a clear, arguable thesis statement that guides the direction of the paper.
- Academic Integrity: All work must be original. Plagiarism or the use of AI text-generation tools without proper attribution and critical engagement is strictly prohibited and will result in a zero.
Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (90-100%) | Competent (80-89%) | Needs Improvement (70-79%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Analysis (30%) | Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the historical context, key figures, and political dynamics of the 4th century. | Provides a solid overview of the history but may lack depth in analyzing the motives of Constantine or the Arian party. | Summary of events is superficial or contains historical inaccuracies regarding dates and figures. |
| Theological Argumentation (30%) | Expertly defines homoousios and articulates the theological nuances of the Trinitarian debate with precision. | Explains the basic theological conflict but struggles to articulate the significance of the specific terminology used. | Fails to address the core theological issue; treats the topic purely as a political event. |
| Research & Sourcing (20%) | Integrates more than 5 high-quality, peer-reviewed sources; synthesis of sources is seamless and supports the argument. | Meets the minimum source requirement; engagement with sources is adequate but may rely too heavily on direct quotes. | Uses fewer than 5 sources or relies on non-academic/outdated materials. |
| Turabian Formatting (20%) | Footnotes and bibliography are flawless; title page and margins adhere strictly to Turabian guidelines. | Minor errors in footnote formatting or bibliography organization. | Major formatting errors; failure to use footnotes or improper citation style. |
Recommended Learning Resources (Bibliography)
Reference List (Harvard Format)
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Anatolios, K. (2018) Retrieving Nicaea: The Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. Available at: https://bakeracademic.com/p/retrieving-nicaea-khaled-anatolios/ (Accessed: 14 January 2026).
Ayres, L. (2020) ‘Nicaea and its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology’, Harvard Theological Review, 113(4), pp. 435–458. doi: 10.1017/S001781602000021X.
Behr, J. (2019) John the Theologian and his Paschal Gospel: A Prologue to Theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/john-the-theologian-and-his-paschal-gospel (Accessed: 14 January 2026).
Gwynn, D.M. (2022) Christianity in the Later Roman Empire: A Sourcebook. 2nd edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic. Available at: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/christianity-in-the-later-roman-empire-9781350006240/ (Accessed: 14 January 2026).
Parvis, S. (2021) ‘The Council of Nicaea (325): Religious and Political Contexts’, in Edwards, M. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Biblical Interpretation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 112–128. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198718390.013.8.