Arius and Athanasius were two influential figures in the early Christian Church who played a significant role in shaping the doctrine of the Trinity. Arius was a presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt, who taught that Jesus was not equal to God the Father, but rather a created being. Athanasius, on the other hand, was the bishop of Alexandria and a leading defender of the doctrine that Jesus is fully God, equal to the Father.
The conflict between Arius and Athanasius, known as the Arian controversy, lasted for over 50 years and had significant consequences for the early Church. Arius' teachings were seen as a threat to the traditional understanding of the nature of Jesus, and Athanasius fought tirelessly to defend the doctrine of the Trinity.
Arius' teachings were based on the idea that God the Father is the only true God, and that Jesus is a created being who is inferior to the Father. He argued that if Jesus was fully God, then there would be two equal gods, which he believed was impossible. Arius also taught that the Holy Spirit was a created being, rather than being fully God.
Athanasius, on the other hand, argued that Jesus is fully God and equal to the Father. He based his argument on passages from the Bible, such as John 1:1, which states that "the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Athanasius also argued that if Jesus was not fully God, then his death on the cross could not have had the power to atone for the sins of humanity.
The Arian controversy had significant consequences for the early Church. It led to the first ecumenical council, known as the Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, which was called to resolve the controversy. At the council, Athanasius and his allies were able to convince the majority of the bishops to adopt the doctrine of the Trinity, which states that Jesus is fully God, equal to the Father. The council also adopted the Nicene Creed, which is still used in churches today and affirms the doctrine of the Trinity.
Although Arius' teachings were ultimately rejected by the Church, they continued to be a source of controversy for many years. Arius and his followers, known as Arians, were considered heretics by the Church, and Athanasius spent much of his life fighting against them. Despite this, the Arian controversy played a significant role in shaping the doctrine of the Trinity, which remains a central belief in Christianity today.