Theological Earthquake: Scholar Urges Christians to Move *Beyond* Dogma, Re-Engage with Scripture
ROME – A provocative new argument from Italian scholar Fabrizio Mastrofini is sending ripples through theological circles and sparking debate among Christian believers. Mastrofini contends that a rigid adherence to dogma, particularly as it stems from the historic Council of Nicea, has inadvertently distanced faith from the lived experience of contemporary Christians. This is breaking news that demands attention.
The Limits of Literalism: Why Repeating Isn’t Enough
Mastrofini’s central claim, as reported by WeekaaNews, isn’t a rejection of the Council of Nicea itself, but a critique of how its outcomes have been *used*. He argues that simply repeating the tenets of dogma, meticulously analyzing its historical context, or engaging in exhaustive exegesis, falls short of genuine faith. “Limiting ourselves to repeating the words of the dogma…is not enough,” he asserts. The core issue, he believes, is that dogma has become a barrier, an “insurance function” that prevents a dynamic, evolving relationship with the divine.
Nicea: A Courageous Act, Now Misunderstood?
Interestingly, Mastrofini positions Nicea not as a restrictive decree, but as a remarkably bold act of faith *for its time*. The council, convened in 325 AD, dared to identify God with the very human experience of Jesus of Nazareth – a radical statement in the face of Roman imperial power. He suggests that today’s Church has, ironically, diminished the power of Nicea by treating its conclusions as immutable limits rather than as a starting point for ongoing exploration. “Nicea says this: faith cannot be limited to repeating…but must live up to an inventing a new narrative,” he explains.
God and Caesar: A Timeless Struggle
The scholar draws a compelling parallel between the historical context of Nicea and the challenges facing Christianity today. In the 4th century, the council resisted attempts by the Roman Emperor to co-opt Christianity for political purposes. Mastrofini argues that a similar temptation exists now, with Christianity sometimes appearing “more comfortable with the new epigones of Caesar” – worldly powers and ideologies – than with the radical message of the cross. This echoes a long-standing tension: where do we find God – in the symbols of power or in the vulnerability of human existence?
The “Excess” of God’s Love: Reclaiming a Lost Radicality
At the heart of Mastrofini’s argument lies a concern that the Church has attempted to “re-educate” God, to tame the boundless nature of divine love. The Nicene Creed affirms that God’s love and care are “literally unthinkable,” yet, he contends, dogma has become a “padlock” controlling this very excess. The phrase “of the same substance of the Father…generated and not created” – a cornerstone of the Nicene Creed – is presented not as a rigid definition, but as an affirmation of God’s limitless capacity for love and tenderness.
Beyond Doctrine: A Call for Faith’s Intelligence
Mastrofini’s challenge isn’t to abandon doctrine, but to revitalize it. He believes Nicea *authorizes* Christians to engage with their faith intelligently and creatively, to articulate the “God of Jesus” in ways that resonate with the complexities of the modern world. This requires a willingness to move beyond rote repetition and embrace the freedom to explore, question, and reimagine the faith. It’s a call to reclaim the courageous spirit of Nicea, a spirit that dared to define God not through abstract concepts, but through the concrete reality of a life lived in love and service.
This debate isn’t confined to academic circles. It speaks to a broader yearning within Christianity for a faith that is both deeply rooted in tradition and vibrantly alive in the present. As Mastrofini suggests, the true legacy of Nicea isn’t a set of fixed beliefs, but an invitation to a continuous, inventive encounter with the living God.
Stay tuned to Archyde for continuing coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of faith and theology.
