monophysitism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In modern scholarly usage, 'Miaphysitism' is often preferred by the Oriental Orthodox Churches themselves to describe their Christology ('one incarnate nature of the Word'), distinguishing it from the extreme 'Eutychian' Monophysitism condemned by the Council of Chalcedon. In historical polemics, the terms were used interchangeably.

Yes, from the perspective of Chalcedonian Christianity (which includes Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and most Protestant traditions), classical Monophysitism is formally defined as a Christological heresy. The Oriental Orthodox Churches reject this characterisation of their own Miaphysite doctrine.

It was a major theological and political force in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, particularly in the eastern provinces of the Roman/Byzantine Empire (Egypt, Syria, Armenia). Its influence contributed to lasting schisms and the rise of independent Oriental Orthodox churches.

Very rarely and somewhat metaphorically. It might be used in philosophical or political discourse to criticise an overly reductive or unifying theory that ignores essential dualities or complexities, e.g., 'a monophysitism of the mind that reduces everything to materialism.' This is highly specialised figurative use.

A Christian theological doctrine holding that Christ has a single, unified nature that is both divine and human, rather than two distinct natures.

Monophysitism is usually academic, theological, historical in register.

Monophysitism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒnə(ʊ)ˈfɪzɪtɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːnəˈfɪzɪtɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.