36.

 What do you feel was the most important point in this section of the textbook?

            The most significant point is that dealing with God's plan for the salvation of mankind. God the Son took the initiative in breaking down the wall of separation that man's sinfulness had created between God and man. To this end, He became man, was crucified, and rose again from the dead, thereby delivering humanity from the bondage to sin and death. Christ, Who is both fully God and fully man, became a bridge between God and man, and He invites people to partake of His divine life and be redeemed.

            Another extremely significant aspect of this section is that dealing with the Ecumenical Councils. These Councils are but one more sign of God's concern for mankind and Christ's continued fidelity to His Church. Christ did not leave His followers orphans but sent the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in truth and to protect it against error and heresy so that man can attain full salvation.

            Lastly, some very important observations that tie in with this section of the textbook and with this period of Church history are given by Dr. Ivan Andreyev. The professor writes that:

The appearance of Christ on earth and the spreading of historical Christianity roused against itself the mobilization of all the forces of hades. In answer to this, Christianity presented to the world its self-defense. It answered persecutions with professions of faith and martyrdom; heresies, schisms and false doctrines with the Ecumenical Councils, the doctrines of the Holy Fathers and dogmas; the continual torrent of nagging criticism with impartial apologetics; slander with holiness; and the efforts of all the powers of hades with the Holy Church [Orthodox Apologetic Theology, p. 164].