One of the strongest opponents to the continuation of Arianism, Athanasius, assumed the role of bishop after the death of Alexander of Alexandria. Eusebius of Nicomedia and other Arian leaders circulated rumors that Athanasius committed murder. After Athanasius proved he was innocent, he attempted to bring his case before the emperor. Athanasius was seen as “dangerous and impulsive” for jumping in front of one of the emperor’s horses and climbing on to gain an audience with Constantine. As a result, he was banished. When Constantine died and was succeeded by his sons, Athanasius went through several returns and banishments until. When Constantius eventually took sole control, he forced bishops to accept his Arian policy with threats and all his resources. At a council that gathered in Sirmium, the decision of Nicea was rejected. This is referred to as the Blasphemy of Sirmium.
After Constantius’ death, his cousin Julian took control of the empire. Julian grew up in the Christian faith as a result of Constantius’ decrees, but never took much of a liking to it. He favored studying philosophy. Julian proved to be an able ruler. He sought to “restore the lost glory of paganism, and to impede the progress of Christianity,” according to Gonzales.[1] He set up paganism to be ruled by bishops who were to lead exemplary lives full of charity. It appears Julian, whom history calls “the Apostate,” learned much from his abandoned faith. His organized paganism did not take well with the people. He sought to rebuild another Jewish temple to attempt to mock the notion of prophecy fulfillment with its destruction in AD 70, but died unexpectedly.
During Julian’s rule, Athanasius returned and found a way to gain theological agreement. Rather than state that God and Christ are the same substance, he took the approach that they were of similar substance. The previous, main contention seemed to be that being the same substance did not allow for two distinct persons of God. Athanasius convinced many that they were of the same substance, but three distinct substances and not three distinct gods. This is also how the Holy Spirit was added to the creed when the council reconvened. Bishop Basil of Caesarea also added his support through “correspondence and several theological treaties.”[2] Arianism was state-supported. When Emperor Theodosius took control, he expelled all supporters of Arianism from high offices. Supporters of Nicea finally had the dominance needed. Most of the church supported this doctrine, which was upheld at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in AD 381.
[1] Gonzales, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Vol. 1. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994, p. 170.
[2] Gonzales, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Vol. 1. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994, p. 185.