“You know the council of Nicea was called to specifically address the heresy of Arianism, right?”
No Actually, I believe the Council was called to make official the majority view held be the western churches at the time. What you call heresy, I call the truth of Christology. Arius was not the author of the doctrine for which he was credited, he only intensified its discussion in the Church. Arius was accused of “thinking too Jewish” which is ironic, since all the authors of scripture were Jewish.
Do you think theological thinking was somehow unchanged in 300+ years? 1 John tells us the spirit of antichrist was already at work and in the world in his day; the 1st century AD.
I fully understand how Athanasius might come to the conclusions he did. If you have a Platonic world view were an “immortal soul” is fundamental, then you must harmonize the Son of God with that understanding, which necessitates a preexistent immortal son coexisting with the Father. Unfortunately, the immortal soul doctrine is not correct nor scriptural. (Did you ever wonder why nothing was ever written concerning Lazarus’s four days in the grave? You would think he might have an interesting testimony after spending four days in some glorious heaven, not to mention his surprise at being yanked back into his difficult mortal existence)
If you want to make the argument that Arius was a heretic because he was in the minority, you might want to re-think that.
Matthew 7:14 - But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
In regards to your comment, “Might as well just become Muslim.” I find it inflammatory and not consistent with the faith I’m sure you feel quite well versed in. I also find it ironic due to the fact that the only significant sect of Christendom who ever slaughtered their ideological adversaries are the ones whom with you align yourself doctrinally. Estimates of people killed by the Papacy throughout the middle ages ranges between 50 and 150 million. That sounds an awful lot like Jihad does it not?
Matt 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Finally, The Papacy made Christ into God, and the Pope into the mediator between God and men. They established a Church structured similar to the Gentile nations (pyramid structure) in direct disobedience to Christ. The list goes on and on.
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
Matthew 23:8–12
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.