Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Gavin Ortlund explains the role of the Roman Emperor in the early ecumenical councils of church history.

Videos Mentioned:
The Papacy in the 3rd to 7th Centuries: Protestant Critique: youtu.be/iUROLXJbkR8?si=guWqSbRDMcZAUlM1

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Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.

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00:00 Introducing the Controversy
01:55 What Does "Preside" Mean?
03:45 Nicaea 1
07:10 Constantinople 1
09:00 Ephesus
09:51 Chalcedon
12:32 Later Councils
14:34 Summarizing the Implications