Monophysitic is a word that pertains to an ancient Christian doctrine. Its correct spelling is [mɑː.nɒ.fɪˈsɪt.ɪk], which is phonetically pronounced as "mah-nuh-fuh-sit-ik". The word is composed of two Greek roots, monos which means "single" or "alone" and physis which means "nature". The word’s ending -itic means "pertaining to". Therefore, Monophysitic refers to the belief that Christ had only one nature, which is divine, rather than two, which are divine and human. The right pronunciation of Monophysitic helps to convey its meaning clearly.
Monophysitic refers to a theological doctrine or belief system that emerged in the early Christian church, particularly during the 5th century. The term "monophysitic" is derived from the Greek words "monos" meaning "one" and "physis" meaning "nature." It is primarily associated with the doctrine that Jesus Christ had only one nature, specifically a divine nature, rather than possessing two distinct natures: one human and one divine.
The Monophysitic belief maintains that the divine nature of Christ completely absorbed or overshadowed his human nature, resulting in a single fused nature that is both divine and human. This concept stands in contrast to the Chalcedonian or Orthodox belief of the dyophysites, who affirm that Jesus Christ possesses two distinct and inseparable natures: fully human and fully divine, without any mixture, confusion, or change.
The Monophysitic doctrine was a subject of significant controversy in the early Christian church and led to divisions and schisms. The proponents of Monophysitism were condemned as heretics during the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE. They include prominent figures such as Eutyches and Dioscorus. Nevertheless, some Christian churches, such as the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and the Armenian Apostolic Church, continue to adhere to variations of the Monophysitic belief.
In summary, "Monophysitic" describes a theological perspective that asserts Jesus Christ had only one nature, a fusion of both the divine and human, in opposition to the orthodox belief of two distinct natures.
The word "Monophysitic" is derived from the Greek words "monos" meaning "one" and "physis" meaning "nature". It refers to a theological doctrine known as Monophysitism, which claimed that Jesus Christ had only one nature, rather than two distinct natures (divine and human), as argued by the mainstream Christian doctrine at the time. Monophysitism emerged as a significant theological controversy in the early Christian church during the 5th and 6th centuries AD.