325–346

After Nicaea: the ambiguity of "consubstantial", Marcellus of Ancyra and the split between East and West

The decision of the Council of Nicaea, according to Berkhof, was not the end but the beginning of the controversy. González shows that the bishops interpreted "consubstantial" in different ways, and the creed's silence about the distinction of the Father, the Son and the Spirit made it suspect as a concession to Sabellianism. The opponents of Nicaea attacked its defenders: Eustathius of Antioch was deposed, Athanasius was sent into exile, Marcellus of Ancyra was condemned. Marcellus taught that God is an indivisible Monad in which the Word and the Spirit only temporarily give the impression of a dyad or triad, and that the Kingdom of the Son would end; according to Pelikan and Berkhof, this confirmed the charge of Sabellianism against the Nicenes. The East at Antioch (341) confessed three hypostases and condemned Marcellus, while the West, having vindicated Athanasius and Marcellus in Rome and at Serdica, insisted on one hypostasis; the two sides parted ways in terminology.