How many Christians know about the Council of Nicea?

Question

and does Christians study the history of Christianity?


(Many thanks for answering, I´m using the answers for a book I write)

Answer 1

most of them don't bother with anything that isnt actually written IN the bible...

Answer 2

'Bout 4% at the most. I guarantee that none of the fundies know a thing about it. On a related note: although many churchgoing types will recite the Nicean Creed, few really get much of an exact translation. The best translation I've found is in McGiffert and Richardson's: "The Seven Ecumenical Councils" (Volume 14 if I recall correctly) published in 1900.

Many will find it difficult to grasp the fact that the early church bore little semblance to the organized stuff that passes itself off as Christianity today. I'm convinced that the early church was quite vibrant and alive; more so than it is today. I'll bet that there were a greater percentage of Christians in church in those days than there are today.

Answer 3

I learned about Nicea and other doctrinal decisions while studying European history in college and that was part of what drove me away from Christianity. Most protestant denominations avoid history or association with what came before the existence of the schism that created that particular denomination. That is not the case for the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches.

Answer 4

The Council of Nicea formally recognized the Canon of Scritpure and essential Christian doctrines.

Please note that history is clear on this point, the Council simply made official what was already being taught...it invented nothing new. Some know the Council only from the movie, The DaVinci Code. Every statement other than the date is incorrect in the book/movie.

Answer 5

Every Christian I've talked to (at least those who had the integrity to enter into debate) know virtually nothing about even their own bible, never mind the history that surrounds it. When Atheists talk of the religious as being ignorant, it is based on evidence (all be it anecdotal) that they usually have their heads firmly buried in the sand in relation to anything that may intrude on their infantile vision of the world. I am a firm believer in the old adage that ignorance is bliss, otherwise why would so many continue to live in a fantasy world?

Answer 6

I'm Christian (LDS) and I know about the council of Nicaea. The LDS church dismisses *most* of the doctrines put forth by the Nicene creed. Funny that it came a few hundred years after Christ isn't it? If His work was done and there was to be no more revelation (as most Christians claim) then how can you justify the Nicene Creed?

Answer 7

If you're writing a book, you should check your spelling and grammar better. I'm not christian but I am familiar with the Council of Nicea.

Answer 8

They may know some general things, superficially about the Council of Nicea, but i doubt they have gone into all the political wrangling, intrigue, assassinations, hostage holding that were topped of by Imperial orders to come to a consensus or else!!

The Christian Church was forcefully changed and mutated by the Council of Nicea and nothing was the same.

Answer 9

I know about it. It is misunderstood by many.
Not all Christians have studied the history of the church.

Answer 10

Yes, I have heard of it. There are many instances of The Catholic Church dictating doctrine but much of it is not as sinister as it may appear.

My personal "favorite" of the CC's teachings is the determination by The Pope that Africans were created by God to be our slaves. Thats all loving if I've ever seen it.

Answer 11

I am a former professor of early Church history and have spent a lifetime studying the history of the early Church.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph