The African dimension of Nicaea: A historical and theological exploration

Peter Masvotore ORCID iD 

Issue: Vol. 12 No.7 2026 Issue Article 5 pp.309 – 319
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20261275 Published online 23rd September 2026.
© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) plays a pivotal role in shaping Christian doctrine, yet the historical connections between Nicaea and Africa remain understudied. This paper explores the intersections between the Nicene faith and African Christianity by examining the creed’s reception, interpretation, and impact on African theological traditions. To illuminate the African dimensions of Nicaea’s legacy and highlight the diversity of African Christian expressions, this study used a qualitative, historical-hermeneutical approach. Primary sources from the early Christian period, including the writings of Origen, Tertullian, and Cyprian, were analyzed alongside secondary literature from African theology, patristics, and historical studies. A thematic analysis revealed complex, multifaceted relationships between Nicaea, African Christianity, and the Nicene Creed. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the significant role African Christians played in shaping early Christian doctrine, contributing to a deeper understanding of African engagement with early orthodoxy and emphasizing the ongoing importance of African perspectives in Christian theology.

Keywords: Council of Nicaea, Nicene Creed, African Christianity, Theological Traditions, Historical-hermeneutical.

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Rev. Dr. Peter Masvotore is a research fellow with the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is also a Lecturer at United Theological College. His research interests are in contextual theologies, public theology, race and ethnicity, and ecological and disaster management.

Masvotore, Peter. “The African Dimension of Nicaea: A Historical and Theological Exploration.”  E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies 12, no.7 (2026): 309 – 319. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20261275

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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