Early 4th century, Alexandria
Arianism
Jesus is not eternally God in the same sense as the Father; the Son was created or had a beginning.
The Central Error
It preserved one supreme God the Father but made the Son a created, lesser divine being. The slogan associated with it is, “There was when he was not.”
Historic Response
Council of Nicaea, A.D. 325, which affirmed that the Son is of the same substance with the Father.
Modern Echoes
Teachings that call Jesus exalted or the greatest creature while denying that He is fully eternal God. Jehovah’s Witness Christology is often compared with Arianism by Nicene Christians.