The Road to Nicea

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Emperors, bishops, monks, riots - and that Creed you hear on Sunday mornings. Join the Rev. Ben Wyatt in a fascinating account of Christ, creed, and controversy in the turbulent 4th century.

Ben Wyatt


    • Feb 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 71 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Road to Nicea

    An Update On What's Next

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 4:51


    It's been a minute. Time for Ben to fill you in on the current status of the next podcast! You can support Ben's work on Patreon: https://patreon.com/BenWyatt Be sure to follow In Simeon's Wake on all your favorite social media platforms! https://bsky.app/profile/insimeonswake.bsky.social https://twitter.com/insimeonswake https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571663144225

    Episode 44 - The Conclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 22:43


    Our long journey has reached its end. What are we going to do? Harangue you about proper historiography one final time!

    conclusion harangue
    Supplemental - What's Next?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 11:41


    In which Ben gives a few updates on the future of his endeavors.

    Episode 42 - In the Wake of Controversy: The Children of Nicea

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 34:07


    A golden-mouthed preacher, a monk with a past, a celebrated poet, and a notorious heretic - come learn about the next generation of theologians and how they responded to the Christological controversies of their day!

    Episode 41 - Let's Get Together: Nicea and the Idea of a Church Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 33:09


    Sometimes the biggest impact of a council is on, well, other councils! See what later gatherings of bishops would make of Nicea's legacy. Oh, and there's a guest appearance by...Attila the Hun?

    Episode 40 - Interpreting in the Shadow of the Council: Nicea and the Future of Orthodox Theology

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 24:57


    You already know that Nicea didn't create the biblical canon. But how did Nicea change the way the Bible was read? Listen on to find out!

    Episode 39 - The Creed and the Sword: Nicea and the Problem of Religious Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 37:10


    In which we delve into one of the most pernicious of religious problems: the frequency with which conviction and violence go together.

    Episode 38 - The Society of the Divine: Social Trinitarianism and the Modern Legacy of Nicea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 33:56


    Had enough of ancient history? Get your fill of modern history as we cover Nicea's continuing relevance to modern theology and church politics through one of its most controversial interpretations: social trinitarianism.

    Supplemental - The Anguish of a Poet: The Final Years of Gregory of Nazianzus

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 12:28


    Gregory of Nazianzus may be out of Constantinople, but his pen is as sharp as ever. Come see how he uses it to defend the Holy Spirit, his honor, and true love.

    Episode 37 - Like Father, Like Son: The Filioque Clause

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 34:18


    In which we finally cover the lasting Nicene controversy: the notorious filioque clause.

    Episode 36 - Oops, I Denied the Homoousios Again: The Afterlives of “Arianism”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 34:42


    The "orthodox" may be enjoying their victory, but that doesn't mean Nicea's dissenters are going to take it lying down! They are going to persist! They are going to argue! Mostly with each other. They are going to have mystical visions! Where everything is married. They are going to...invent classical physics. Seriously. Listen on to learn more!

    Episode 35 - The Trials of the Victors and the Shifting of Power: Theodosius, the Troubles of the West, and the Fate of the “Orthodox”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 31:41


    Well, that's that. The Council of Constantinople is done, Nicea is victorious and its opponents refuted. Now it's time to see what will become of the victors. How will they use this extraordinary new power they hold?

    Episode 34 - The Final Council: Constantinople and the Triumph of Nicea

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 31:56


    Our plucky players have finally made it to the main event: the Council of Constantinople. But with bishop elections to decide and heretics to denounce, who will come out on top - and what will it take to get there? Find out today!

    Supplemental - Barbarians or Rivals: Who are the Ancient Goths?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 21:08


    Just who are these pesky Germanic raiders who keep pillaging Rome's cities and beheading its emperors? Listen today to find out - and to learn the limits of Rome's tolerance for outsiders. The Gothic crown described in this episode can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goths#/media/File:CoronaRecesvinto01.JPG

    Episode 33 - God's Gift to the Nicenes: Theodosius and the Last Great Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2024 29:08


    Good news! Valens is no more and the Nicene-respecting Theodosius has ascended to the imperial purple. But before he can change history, he has to get from Spain to Constantinople - and there's a very angry Gothic army in his way.

    Episode 32 - The Storm Before the Calm: Religion Under Valens, 360 - 379

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 27:33


    The historical narrative FINALLY gets moving as the plucky defenders of Nicea must deal with yet another anti-Nicene emperor. But will they be able to make any progress when they can't agree with each other? Tune in to find out!

    Episode 31 - The Midwestern Heresy: Eunomius's Apology for the Apology

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 29:54


    Eunomius won't say sorry...even if this book might have killed someone! Tune in and learn more.

    Episode 30 - Hater, Heresiarch, and Heteroousian: Who is the Fourth Cappadocian?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 30:44


    It's time to meet the Cappadocian the orthodox don't want you to know about.

    Supplemental: An Epistolary Ecclesiarchy - The Letters of Gregory and Basil

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 26:20


    What better way to understand Basil and Gregory's friendship than by reading through their mail?

    Episode 29: Sermons for the Son - The Five Theological Orations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 31:01


    Gregory is in the belly of the homoian beast in Constantinople. Will his words be enough to convince them to accept the Nicene Creed? Well, no. But they WILL inspire the church for centuries to come! So join us as we explore the genius of Gregory's thought.

    Supplemental: Saint in the City - Gregory's Constantinopolitan Adventures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 9:56


    Gregory of Nazianzus has finally landed in the big city of Constantinople! Learn about all his wild adventures in this episode. But is he a Carrie, a Miranda, or even a Mr. Big?

    Episode 28 - The Olympic Orator: Who is Gregory of Nazianzus?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 44:47


    It's time to meet the third Cappadocian Father! Basil's friend Gregory is a brilliant orator, dedicated theologian, and Father of the Church. He'll change the course of history forever...but first, he has to stop loafing around on his dad's farm and get a job. Learn how in this episode!

    Supplemental - Writing About the Good Book: Athanasius's Festal Letter of 367

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 11:23


    It's time to put some old rumors about Nicea to rest - and who better to do so than Athanasius of Alexandria? Join us as we read his festal letter and learn who really decided what books were in the Bible!

    Supplemental: The Christmas Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2023 19:26


    It's a lonely night in the fourth century...but one of our Cappadocians just might be getting some extra company this Christmas!

    Supplemental - The Epic Ecstatic Epektasis: Gregory of Nyssa, Salvation, and the Life of Moses

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 18:58


    There's no better time than now to review one of Gregory's most celebrated ideas: the notion of epektasis, or "constant progress." Tune in to learn all about it!

    Episode 27 - The Reclaimed Genius: Gregory of Nyssa's Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 38:23


    The legacy of the Cappadocians remains with us today! Listen in to hear how Gregory of Nyssa continues to inspire modern theological reflection and innovation. And also, to learn how bad Ben is at accents.

    Putting the "Logos" Back in Logic: Professor Ryan Haecker on Origen's Trinitarian Theology

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 55:54


    Time passes, centuries roll on, but some things never change. One of those things is that people always want to talk about Origen! Listen to Professor Haecker walk us through how Origen's Trinitarian theology intersects with his contemporary research in theology and logic. It turns out that logic has a theological foundation, and that theological foundation is essentially Trinitarian!

    Episode 26 - One Power, One God - Gregory of Nyssa's Letter to Ablabius

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 26:39


    Get ready for your crash course in Trinitarian math! It's time to hear Gregory's full answer to the old question: just how can three persons be one God?

    Supplemental - The Suffering God: An Interview with Professor Paul Gavrilyuk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 54:31


    We've seen Gregory and Eunomius spar over whether God can suffer, and how. Now we turn to one of today's leading scholars of the period to explain this controversy! Professor Paul Gavrilyuk is also organizing a conference on the Council of Nicea to be held in June of 2025 in Rome. Paper submissions are open until March 1, 2024. Learn more here: https://iota-web.org/rome2025/

    Episode 25 - Nobody Refutes My Brother But Me: Gregory's Against Eunomius

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 40:43


    The heretical refutations continue! Can Gregory carry on his brother's legacy? Find out in this week's episode!

    Supplemental: Nuns, Crosses, and Proto-Feminists, Oh My! - Gregory's Life of Macrina

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 18:35


    As if two brilliant brothers weren't enough, it's time to meet a THIRD exemplary member of the family: Macrina the Younger. She was a beloved sister, a learned teacher, and the inspiration for several of Gregory's most celebrated works. Learn all about her in this week's episode!

    Episode 24: The Younger Brilliant Brother - Who is Gregory of Nyssa?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 27:16


    It's time for our second Cappadocian to enter the scene! Get ready to meet Gregory of Nyssa: theologian par excellence, married bishop(!), and little brother extraordinaire.

    Supplemental - Perfecting the Praises: The Liturgy of St. Basil

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 12:37


    In which we take a peek at Basil's *other* contribution to church history: the liturgy that bears his name!

    Episode 23: The Power of Prepositions - Basil's On the Holy Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 38:19


    In which the neglected Third Person of the Trinity finally gets some time in the spotlight! Come hear about Basil's mature thought on the Holy Spirit.

    Supplemental - The Ordering of Monks: Basil's Long Rule

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 24:59


    In which we learn how Basil thought a monk should live, think, eat - and get woken up in the middle of the night!

    Episode 22 - What's in a Name?: Basil Against Eunomius

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 36:21


    It's Basil against the final boss of the heteroousians. But who will come out on top in the rhetorical fracas? Listen to find out!

    Supplemental - Ever Since the World Began: Basil's Hexameron and the Best Worst Sermon Ever Preached

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 19:13


    Lions, tigers, and bears...and a Church Father messing up a sermon?

    Supplemental - Alms for the Poor: Basil the Great on Social Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 45:12


    Ever wanted to hear an ancient sermon? Now's your chance! Join Ben for this exploration of one of Basil's most celebrated sermons, titled "To the Rich."

    Episode 21 -Great Saint, Wannabe Monk, and Peer Pressurer Extraordinare: Who is Basil the Great?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 29:17


    In which the first of the Cappadocian Fathers makes his debut on the world stage. What will he do to break the impasse of our long-running debate?

    Supplemental - The Making of a Monk: Athanasius's The Life of Antony

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 31:21


    In which we examine all the different roles a fourth century monk could play: saint, wonder worker, spiritual director, superhero, and...skincare guru?

    Episode 20: The Next Generation - Rise of the Cappadocians

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 25:20


    In which a new generation takes its place on world history...and Ben's enthusiasm for certain sci-fi fandoms prompts our first-ever double sponsorship!

    Episode 19 - The Nefarious Nerd: Who is Julian the Apostate?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 33:13


    It wouldn't be the Road to Nicea without a few U-turns. It's time to meet one of the biggest. Tune in to learn about Julian the Apostate: emperor, philosopher, idealist, nerd.

    Supplemental - The Senior Convener: Ossius of Cordoba

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 16:52


    It's time for a little diversion as we meet the man who was there for all of Nicea's history - and we mean ALL of it.

    Episode 18 - The Finger On the Scale: Constantius, the Homoian Triumph, and the Blasphemy of Sirmium

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 37:25


    In which the anti-Nicene forces seem to have the upper hand...and the Hawley-Smoot Tariff of ancient history is revealed.

    Supplemental - Canon Law and Order: The Crimes of Athanasius

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 25:07


    For legal purposes, this episode is a joke.

    Episode 17 - The Era of Too Many Theologies: Matters of Substance from 350 to 360

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 35:49


    As the empire changes, the theologies of the Church change too. Just what were mid-fourth-century theologians making of Nicea's odd "homoousios" language?

    Supplemental - The Renowned Rhetor: Lactantius and the Christian-Imperial Narrative

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 27:27


    In which we take a look at another member of the Constantinian court: Lactantius, tutor to Crispus and writer of treatises. What does he have to tell us about the Great Persecution and its aftermath?

    Episode 16 - The Accidental Ruler of It All: Who is Constantius II?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 29:54


    Persecutor, lucky son, mild-mannered emperor, forgotten bureaucrat. He has so many descriptors. But who really is Constantius II?

    Episode 15 - The Era of Too Many Creeds: Controversy and Conflagration, 341 - 350

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 34:12


    Well yes, we've had one creed, but what about a second creed? And a third, and a fourth, and...

    Episode 14: Theology is a Riot - Changing Faces and Changing Alliances, 337 - 341

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 31:19


    In which old faces pass away, new leaders emerge, and theology gets riotously important.

    Episode 13 - The Birth of a Movement: Athanasius and the Orations Against the Arians

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 36:24


    You've met Theological Treatise Athanasius, now meet Polemical Athanasius: 50% less relaxed theologizing, 200% more snark.

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