Dyophysite

Dyophysite

Dyophysite (Greek: δυοφυσῖται) is a theological term used in understanding how the divine and human are related in the person of Jesus Christ, an area of study known as Christology. The term comes from the Greek and literally means "two natures." Two natures refer to a human nature and a divine nature that exist in the one person of Jesus.

Dyophysite describes the position of the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). The term was primarily used by those who rejected the Chalcedonian position, in contrast to their own Christology which was arguably either Monophysite - that is, Christ had one nature that was divine, or Miaphysite - that is, Christ was both divine and human in one nature. The Oriental Orthodox tradition, including the Copts, considered themselves to be Miaphysites.

Dyophysite was also used to describe Nestorianism, the doctrine of Nestorius, which asserted that Christ existed as two persons: the human Jesus and the divine Logos. The use of it to describe those who supported the Chalcedonian position (who continued on as the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church) is tantamount to accusing them of being Nestorian, which they were not as they emphasised the complete and perfect unity of the two natures in one hypostasis. For the Chalcedonians the hypostasis was the centre of Jesus' unity (his divinity and humanity being described as natures) whereas those who rejected the Chalcedonian definition saw his nature as the point of unity. Ultimately it is more a difference of terminology than actual belief.

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  • Dyophysite — Dyophysitic /duy of euh sit ik/, Dyophysitical, adj. /duy of euh suyt /, n. Theol. a person who maintains that Christ has two natures, one divine and the other human. Cf. Monophysite. [1855 60; < LGk dyophysítes, equiv. to dýo TWO + phýs(is)… …   Universalium

  • dyophysite — dy·oph·y·site …   English syllables

  • dyophysite — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Miaphysitism — Part of a series on Eastern Christianity …   Wikipedia

  • Oriental Orthodoxy — Part of a series on Eastern Christianity …   Wikipedia

  • Christian theology — The Prophetess Anna, Rembrandt, 1631 See also: History of Christian theology and Outline of Christian theology Christian doctrine redirects here. For the United States Court case known by that name, see G.L. Christian and associates v. US.… …   Wikipedia

  • Armenia — /ahr mee nee euh, meen yeuh/; for 3 also Sp. /ahrdd me nyah/, n. 1. an ancient country in W Asia: now divided between Armenia, Turkey, and Iran. 2. Also called, Armenian Republic. a republic in Transcaucasia, S of Georgia and W of Azerbaijan.… …   Universalium

  • Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria — Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and of All Africa Ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ̀ⲛⲣⲉⲙ̀ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ̀ⲛⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ Coptic Orthod …   Wikipedia

  • Chalcedonian — refers to churches and theologians which accept the definition given at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) of how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus Christ. While most modern Christian churches are Chalcedonian, in the 5th 8th… …   Wikipedia

  • Armenian Apostolic Church — One Holy Universal Apostolic Orthodox Armenian Church Official standard of the Catholicos of All Armenians of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Founder The Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus …   Wikipedia

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