The Doctrine of the Trinity

Introductory Matters Question: If a person who claims to be Christian, but denies the Trinity, are they considered a Christian? Ex: Paula White Cain Just this year alone there have been discussions among evangelical Christians about the Trinity.

Introductory Matters The Trinity is the most difficult doctrine to explain. Question: How would you explain the Trinity to a 5 year old? How do you explain that God is 3 persons but 1 God? The word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, however, there are still references to the Trinity in the Bible. Jehovah’s witnesses deny the Trinity because of its absence in the Bible. Muslims believe Christians are blasphemers/polytheists because of the Trinity

Introductory Matters The Doctrine of the Trinity is a primary doctrine for the believer. If you deny the Trinity, then you do not believe orthodox (right belief) evangelical Christians. The Trinity is one of the most richest doctrines in Systematic Theology

Introductory Matters All three persons of the Trinity have unique roles, but equal in Godhood.

Ancient Cultural Ideas about god(s) Question: How is the Trinity unique to Christianity? What Ancient Cultural ideas about god(s) influence Christianity, if any? Polytheism – belief in multiple gods (Rome, Greece, Egypt) Common belief in gods of different areas (produce, fertility, sun, rain, etc.) If gods were angry, then one would have to appease that god. This is the culture that the people of Israel and early Christians lived in

Ancient Culture Ideas about god(s) Compare the polytheism of ancient cultures to the monotheism of Israel. Deuteronomy 6:4-6, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” This verse recognizes the monotheistic belief of Israel. So, the people of Israel and Christians believe that God is the only true God.

Ancient Culture Ideas about god(s) Current debate among scholars: Later editors wrote a more modern view into the Scripture on monotheism Critical scholars argue that Jewish religion was a blending of forms of polytheism Response to critical scholars: When one examines Scripture, we see a declaration of the unity of God, who eternally exists as Father, Son and Spirit

The Uniqueness of God Great emphasis is placed on the uniqueness of God in the OT community Ex.: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Deuteronomy 6:4-5 God declares he is one. Comprises part of the Great Commandment

The Uniqueness of God Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Announcement that God was so critical & central to the life of the people, they are to teach it to their kids. Daily reminder of how seductive idolatry was to them, and that God is the only God. The Uniqueness of God is also exhibited in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3)

References to the Trinity in the OT Genesis 1:26-27; Exodus 20:1-5; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Isaiah

References to the Trinity in the NT The Doctrine of the Trinity is established by the NT itself. The NT speaks of God in terms of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 1:1-5 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 This passage clearly expresses the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. This passage also sets the stage for early church confessions (Nicene, Apostles) John makes a distinction: Between the Word and God But they are nevertheless together.

John 1:1-5 A Key word in this passage is the preposition “with” In Greek, there are three main terms: Sun – to occur at the same time, ex. Synchronize swimming, synchronized watch Meta – being alongside of, Pros – “to, towards” Prosopon – “face” – pros connotes a face- to-face relationship This is the most intimate term John can use.

John 1:1-5 By using the term Pros, John indicates the closest possible relationship to God.

Other References in the NT Testimony of Thomas – John 20:25-28 Jesus’ Statements – Mark 2:7-10 The NT writers are careful and conscious of the First Commandment, The recording of Thomas’ reply is significant, Jesus is worshipped only if he is divine

Other references in the NT The NT attributes deity to the Holy Spirit. How? The NT writer ascribe attributes to the Spirit that pertain to God alone Holiness (Mt. 12:32) Eternality (Heb. 9:14) Omnipotence (Rom. 15:18-19) Omniscience (John 14:26)

Other References in the NT The Holy Spirit is placed on the same level as the Father and Son. Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The “Filioque” Controversy Filioque – Latin phrase meaning “from the Son” Added to the Nicene Creed in 589 A.D. Mainly had to do with “the Holy Spirit” This phrase ends up splitting the Western Church (Rome) and the Eastern Church (Constantinople)

The “Filioque” Controversy The Eastern church said the Spirit “proceeded from the Father” The Western church said the Spirit “proceeded from the Father and the Son” What does this “proceed” mean?

The Eternal Procession of the Son and the Spirit The idea of eternal procession denotes a relational term in how the Spirit eternally relates to the Father and the Son. John 14:26; John 16:7 Jesus in John 15:26 says that he will send the Spirit from the Father, so this illustrates some sort of ordering.

The Eternal Procession of the Son and the Spirit Question: Is the Spirit lesser than both the Son and the Father? No, the Spirit is God and has his own distinct role. Yet, the Spirit submits to the authority of the Son and the Father, just like the Son submits to the authority of the Father.

Three in One It is important to note what we define what is meant by person We do not mean flesh and bone, but that God is personal.

Three in One This is often called the “economic” Trinity How do all three persons of the Trinity relate to one another? This is often called the “economic” Trinity

Three in One The Father In Creation, speaks creation into existence In Redemption, planned redemption and sent His Son into the World The Son In Creation, carried out the creative decrees of the Father In Redemption, carried out the work of redemption The Spirit In Creation, sustains and manifests God’s immediate presence in his creation In Redemption, applies redemption to us through regeneration or new spiritual life, empowers us for service

Three in One In Summary, The Father directs and has authority over the Son, The Son obeys and is responsive to the direction of the Father, The Holy Spirit is obedient to the directives of both the Father and the Son. Or “ontological equality but economic subordination.”

Three in One God is One in regard to Essence God is Three in regard to Persons The Three Persons have distinct Roles The Three Persons are equal in Deity

Three in One When discussing the Trinity, we have to be careful not to fall into heresy (wrong belief) Examples: Tri-theism – three gods Modalism – Father, Son, and Spirit different manifestations at different times. Unitarianism – God is one

Analogies to explain the Trinity Ice/Water/Steam – this is the most popular one. This is an inadequate analogy because No quantity of water is ever all three of these at the same time They have different properties or characteristics The analogy has nothing that corresponds to the that there is only one God The element of intelligent personality is lacking

Analogies to explain the Trinity Clover – clover has three parts yet still one clover Each leaf is only a part of the clover, and any one leaf cannot be said to be the whole clover.

Analogies to explain the Trinity Tree – roots, trunk, branches Same problem with the clover, they are each parts of the tree and none of the parts can be said to be the whole tree. Each part in this analogy have different properties, but in the Trinity, all of the persons of the Trinity possess all of the attributes of God in equal measure.