What happened to push Christianity from persecution to endorsement by the Roman Empire? This week Dr. Meredith Riedel explains the events that led up to the necessity of convening a church council made up of bishops from Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Rome. The first councils hammered out the basic tenants of the Christian faith: How can God be human? Was Jesus divine? If he was, what do we call Mary? Who is the Holy Spirit? These are foundational matters for the global church, but do we actually know the debates surrounding these ideas?

Click HERE for a list of publications by Dr. Riedel.

Look HERE for a quick reference on the years, meeting places, and urgent topics discussed at the first ecumenical councils.

Listen here to Frederica Mathewes-Green discuss how Mary the mother of Jesus can be a stumbling block for Protestants who are exploring Orthodoxy. Her insights to the Theotokos are wonderful.