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Nestorian ideas were first developed in the writings of [[Diodorus of Tarsus]] against the [[heresy]] of [[Appolinarius]]. In refuting [[Appolinarianism]], [[Diodurus of Tarsus]] wrote that at the time of the Incarnation and after the Incarnation, the Divine and human natures of Jesus Christ were divided to such an extent that there was complete independence of natures and no union whatsoever.
These ideas were further developped developed by [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]] (3??-429), a scholar in the Antochian tradition. Theodore taught that the human and Divine natures of Christ were so completely separate that there was only contact between them, but no union of any kind. In developing his ideas, Theodore wrote that the Man Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary completely naturally and with all faults of men, and that God the Logos (Word), having foreknown the Man's triumph over sin, chose to redeem the human race through Him by becoming united with Him by Grace from the time of His conception. Because of His triumph over sin, the Man Jesus was made worthy of being called Son of God at the time of the Theophany. Then, after His complete triumph over sin during His passion, He was united even more closely with the Divine Logos, becomeing becoming God's tool for the salvation of mankind.
Based on these ideas, Theodore was the first to be opposed to the use of language applying to God as a description of Jesus Christ. Thus, he was opposed to the terms "God was crucified", "God suffered", or "God was born", because, he believed, only the Man Jesus was born and God dwelt in the Man Jesus. For this reason, Theodore called Jesus the Theophoros (Bearer of God). He was also opposed to the term Theotokos (Giver of birth to God) for the Virgin Mary, because, he taught, she gave birth only to the Man Jesus. Theodore's beliefs were quite heretical, since, if taken to their logical conclusion, they deny redemption and salvation; if only the Man Jesus suffered on the Cross and died for the sins of men, then how does the suffering of a man redeem the human race?
== Resistance to Nestorianism ==
The fearsest fearest opposition to Nestorianism came from St [[Cyril of Alexandria]], a theologion from the Alexandria school. In a series of epistles and letters to [[Nestorius]], [[Emperor Theodore II]], and Empress Eudoxia, St Cyril outlined the Orthodox teaching and accused Nestorius of heresy. St Cyril then wrote to [[Pope]] Celestine of [[Rome]] about the teaching of Nestorius.
In 430, Pope Celestine called a council at Rome, which condemned Nestorius and called for him to be deposed. Pope Celestine sent copies of the council's decision to St [[Cyril of Alexandria]], who also called a council in [[Alexandria]] in 430. At this council, St Cyril issued his famous 12 anathemas against Nestorius, which stated:
* If anyone does not confess that Emmanuel is God in truth, and therefore that the holy Virgin is the Mother of God (for she bore in a fleshly way the Word of God become flesh, let him be anathema.
The Ephesian Council was not, however, accepted by some in Syria. Among those who agreed with the Orthodox teaching but rejected the Council was Blessed [[Theodoret of Cyrus]]. Thus, a strong Nestorian party arose in the Syrian and Mesopotamian churches. After agreeing to a common confession with St [[Cyril of Alexandria]], [[John of Antioch]] began working on eradicating Nestorianism in the Eastern churches. What could not be accomplished by conviction was done with the help of the civil authorities, who imprisoned several Nestorian bishops.
John of Antioch ordred the destruction of the Edessa theological school, which bread spread Nestorian ideas. [[Ivo of Edessa]] and other theologians who accused St Cyril of unorthodoxy were exiled. At the same time, St Cyril wrote a refutation of [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]]. However, this refutation, too, was not accepted by all. Blessed [[Theodoret of Cyrus]] defended [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]]. Meanwhile, Ivo became bishop of Edessa, and spread Nestorian ideas. In his famous letter to Marius the Persian, Ivo of Edessa condemned Nestorius for refusing to use the term [[Theotokos]] but also condemned St Cyril for preaching [[Appolinarianism]]. In 489, the Edessa school was again destroyed, and Nestorian theologians fled to Persia were they finally broke with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. In 499, at a council in Seleucia, the [[Third Ecumenical Council]] was condemned and the Nestorians formally split from the Church. They formed the Chaledean or [[Assyrian Church]], which governs itself with its own Patriarch. Nestorians also have a community in India, called the [[Thomites]].
== Nestorianism and the Fifth Ecumenical Council ==