ROUNDTABLE

This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the famous Council of Nicaea—a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity. While this event might seem distant and formal, many Christian churches continue to celebrate its legacy. But what relevance does it hold for 21st-century Asian Christians? How can this council be more than just a doctrinal milestone?

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Following the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire in 311, various heretical movements emerged more publicly, leading to public disputes and divisions. In response, a non-Christian emperor convened all the bishops at his summer residence to determine whether the theological ideas of the priest Arius were compatible with the Church’s faith. This gathering, held in May–June 325, led to significant outcomes. Under the auspices of an emperor who would later be baptized by a heretical bishop, the prelates issued a confession of faith—what would become the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed—and made important decisions regarding clerical discipline and Church governance.

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Seventeen centuries later, each of these aspects speaks profoundly to Asian Christians, who often live in contexts marked by deep ecclesial, cultural, and theological divisions, and under political systems that are not always inclusive. Bringing together four experts from different backgrounds, our roundtable explores how the Council of Nicaea—its convocation, proceedings, resulting text, and decisions—can still resonate with and offer insight to 21st-century Asia.

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Guest Speakers: 

• Dr. Stephanie Ann Puen, Assistant Professor, Department of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University

• Mr. Charles Bertille, Ecclesial Analyst, Student in Theology, Synodality in the Malaysian Church context.

• Dr Joseph Prabhakar Dayam, Dean of doctoral studies, Gurukul Lutheran Theology College, Chennai.

• Dr. Yang Fenggang, Professor of Sociology, Purdue University. 

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Moderator: 

• Dr. Bubbles B. Asor, De La Salle University, Manila. 

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