How Do You Spell MONOTHELITE?

Pronunciation: [mˈɒnə͡ʊθˌɛla͡ɪt] (IPA)

Monothelite is a theological term that refers to the belief in Christ possessing only one divine will. The pronunciation of the word is [mɒnəˈθɛlʌɪt], with the stress on the second syllable. The "mono" prefix denotes "one," while the "thele" stem comes from the Greek word for "will." The "ite" suffix signifies a member of a particular group or school of thought. The spelling of Monothelite reflects its Greek origins and demonstrates how language has evolved and adapted over time.

MONOTHELITE Meaning and Definition

1. Monothelite is a term used in theology to describe a belief system or doctrine that professes the existence of only one will in the person of Jesus Christ. The term originates from the Greek words "monos" meaning "alone" or "one" and "thelema" meaning "will." Monothelitism was a heretical teaching that emerged in the seventh century during a heated theological debate over the nature of Christ.

   Proponents of Monothelitism argued that Jesus Christ possessed both a human and divine nature but maintained the idea that he had only one will. They believed that the divine and human energies or operations in Christ were in perfect unity and harmony, eliminating the possibility of distinct wills.

   Monothelitism was considered heretical by the wider Christian Church, which adhered to the doctrine of dyothelitism, the belief in two wills of Christ (divine and human). The Council of Constantinople in 681 pronounced Monothelitism as a false teaching, declaring that Jesus Christ had both a divine and human will, without separation or confusion. This resulted in the condemnation of Monothelitism as a heresy, marking a significant moment in the history of Christological doctrine.

   Today, the term Monothelite is primarily used in historical and theological contexts to refer to proponents of this ancient heresy, or to describe the heresy itself. It serves as a reminder of the theological debates and controversies that have shaped the development of Christian doctrine throughout history.

Common Misspellings for MONOTHELITE

• monotheoite

Etymology of MONOTHELITE

The word "Monothelite" is derived from the Greek roots "mono", meaning "one", and "thelēsis", meaning "will". It is a compound word combining these roots to form "Monothelēs", which translates to "one will" or "single will". This term is used in theological contexts to refer to the belief in a single, divine will in Christ, as opposed to the dual wills (divine and human) associated with the Christological doctrine of dyothelitism.