Systematic Theology I Theology Proper The Unity and Tri-unity of God

The Meaning of the Unity of God “By the unity of God is meant that there is but one essence (the totality of God’s infinite perfections) in the Godhead, and this one essence wholly, equally, and eternally pervades each of the three persons of the Godhead without division or multiplication” (McCune,p. 275). Each person of the Godhead contains, and always has, the fullness of this essence; it is not fractionally divided. God’s goodness are His attributes in the moral realm

The Biblical Evidence for the Unity of God Each member of the Godhead is recognized as God Father John 6:27 “…for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal.” John 20:17 “…but go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” Son John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. Holy Spirit Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.“ God’s goodness are His attributes in the moral realm

The Biblical Evidence for the Unity of God All are One God The Father and the Son are One John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." John 10:38 “…the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” The Father and the Spirit are One 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God [the Father], and that the Spirit of God [Holy Spirit] dwells in you? The Son and the Spirit are One Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. The Father, Son, and Spirit are One McCune uses the phrase “mutual indwelling.”

The Biblical Evidence for the Unity of God All are One God The Father, Son, and Spirit are One John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth…” John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” Can you think of another passage that ties all three members of the Trinity together? McCune uses the phrase “mutual indwelling.”

The Tri-unity of God “The term tri-unity is actually more descriptive theologically than the word trinity. Trinitarian means three-fold or having three parts or aspects. Tri-unity, on the other hand, means three-in-one. In other words, God is triune, not triple, He is three-in-one, not three-and-one” (McCune, p. 280). God’s goodness are His attributes in the moral realm

False Views of the Trinity

The OT Evidence for the Tri-unity of God The OT evidence for God’s tri-unity is more inferential than explicit. Elohim does not refer explicitly to the trinity. Putting together certain texts is helpful: Psalm 110:1 The LORD (Yahweh) says to my Lord (Adonai): "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet.“ Matthew 22:45 "If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?“ Psalm 45:6-7 Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee With the oil of joy above Thy fellows. Hebrews 1:8-9 But of the Son He says, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee With the oil of gladness above Thy companions.“ Other OT texts hint at tri-unity, but NT revelation is needed to fill this out. Isaiah 48:16 "Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit." This is in a conversation with the Pharisees. David’s son is God’s son. Two different beings addressed as God in Psa 45. Hebrews makes one the Father and one the Son. OT saint would not have understood the tri-unity of God as it is explicated in the NT.

The NT Evidence for the Tri-unity of God Numerous Texts Matthew 3:16-17 And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Luke 1:32, 35 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David…And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.” Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 1 Peter 1:1-2 …who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. Closes the book of 2 Corinthians

The NT Evidence for the Tri-unity of God The Objectivity of the Three Persons to Each Other John 3:35 “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.” John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Trinitarian Consciousness Each member of the trinity is conscious that He is not the other two members; He instead recognizes them as distinct from Himself. Jesus recognizing the Father. Clear distinction between members of the Godhead.

The NT Evidence for the Tri-unity of God The Equality in Being, Power, and Glory As has been shown, each member of the Godhead is called God, showing that all are equal in essence. The three members of the Godhead are listed in different order in different places, implying equality of essence. The phrase “son of God” means the Son partakes of the Father’s nature. The Functional Difference between the Three Persons There is functional subordination within the Trinity: Father – is the head of the Son (1 Cor 11:3) and sends the Son (Rom 8:3) and the Spirit (John 14:26). Son – sends the Spirit (John 16:7); delivers up the kingdom to the Father (1 Cor 15:24). Spirit – knows the mind of the Father and the Son (1 Cor 2:11) and illumines God’s Word (John 16:13-14). God’s goodness are His attributes in the moral realm

Next Week: God and the Universe Read Chapter 9 in McCune, pp. 307-345