PNEUMATOLOGY
The Trinity
1. Definition and Meaning of Trinity
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; Jn. 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6). ~ Dallas Theological Seminary Catalogue, 2000-2001, pg. 155
The Word “Trinity” means that God is a triunity: He is a plurality within unity. God has a plurality of persons and a unity of essence; God is three persons in one nature.
2. Historical Overview of the Trinity
Ancient Church and the Trinity (100-600)
Church Fathers and the Trinity (100-150)
Apologists and the Trinity (150-300)
Marcionism
Ebionites
Monarchianism
Dynamic (adoptionistic)
Modalism (Patripassianism)
Theologians and the Trinity (300-600)
Arianism
Council of Nicea (325)
Council at Constantinople (381)
Medieval Church and the Trinity (600-1500)
Early Modern Churches and the Trinity (1500-1750)
Protestantism and the Trinity
Augsburg Confession (1530)
Westminster Confession (1647)
Socinianism
Deism
Unitarianism
Roman Catholic Church
Council of Trent (1545-1563)
Late Modern Churches and the Trinity (1750-Present):
European Protestant Liberalism
Friedrich Schleiermacher
European Protestantism
Karl Barth
American Protestantism
Jonathan Edwards
Paul Tillich
Process Theology
Roman Catholic Tradition
Orthodox Tradition and the Trinity
Modalism: Also called sabellianim after its founder in 217-220, Sabellius, Modalism holds that God is only one person who appears in different modes or roles at different times in the divine economy.
Tritheism: the belief that there are three gods or three separate beings in the Godhead. Few, if any, have held this view consciously, though unwittingly many have fallen into it verbally by their incautious language about the Godhead.
Arianism: Following Arius (c. 250-336), its founder, this heresy denies that Jesus is fully God, allowing Him a created status below God. Arianism was opposed by Athanasius and condemned as heretical at the Council of Nicea.
Docetism: From the Greek word, “dokeo,” “I seem,” docetism affirms the deity of Christ but denies His humanity, claiming it was only an apparent, but not real, humanity.
Nestorianism: It is doubtful that Nestorius (d.c. A.D. 451) held the view bearing his name, though some of his followers ae credited with it. This perspective posited not only two natures in Christ (which is orthodox) but also two persons (which is not). Allegedly, if there is both a human and a divine person in Christ, then it was only the human person who died on the cross; hence, His sacrifice for our sins would have no divine efficacy.
3. Descriptions of the Trinity
There is only one “What” (essence) in God, but there are three “Whos” (persons) in that one “What.”
God has three “I’s” in His One “It”.
There are three “Subjects” in one “Object.”
4. Biblical Proofs of the Trinity
See Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine by H. Wayne House, pages, 48-49
5. Illustrations of the Trinity
Though no illustration of the Trinity is perfect, some are more biblical (and helpful) than others. The following are poor illustrations because they tend to imply modalism or tritheism:
Three States of Water: One popular used and bad illustration of the Trinity is one that teaches that the Trinity is like water, which has three states (solid, liquid, and gas). The problem with this is that no given drop of water is in all three states at the same time (there is a state where different drops of water in various stages of solid, liquid, and gas at the same time. But this would not illustrate trinitarianism, where one and the same drop to be in all three states at the same time). Yet God is both three and one at the same time. So despite the good intentions, this illustration implies the heresy of modalism (that God has one essence but is not three distinct persons).
Three Links in a Chain: Trinity is a three-link chain. The problem here is that the links are three different things. So in spite of whatever good motivations there may be behind it, what is being illustrated is tritheism, not trinitarianism. God is only one thing (substance), not three different ones joined together in some way.
Human body, soul, and spirit: Human Body, Soul, and Spirit. God is like man, who has body, soul, and spirit and yet is one. Even apart from the implied trichotomy, one problem with this is that the human soul and body separate at death. The members of the Godhead are inseparable. Further, God, has no body-He is pure Spirit (John 4:24).
One actor playing three roles
The following are better illustrations because three different elements exist in an undivided oneness at the same time:
A Triangle: God is like a triangle, which is one figure yet has three different sides at the same time-there is a simultaneous threeness in the oneness. Of course, no analogy is perfect, since in every analogy there is a similarity and a difference. The difference here is that “corners” are not persons. Nonetheless, they do illustrate how there can be a “threeness” and a oneness at the same time.
One to the Third Power: One to the Third Power: 1x1x1=1. God is three ones in One; He is not 1+1+1=3. That is the heresy of tritheism, which holds three different gods, not just one God.
God is love (1st John 4:16): “God is love” (1st John 4:16), and love involves three elements: a lover, a beloved, and a spirit of love. These three are one. One advantage of this example is that it has a personal dimension, in that love is something only a person does.
Mind, ideas, and Words: God is like the relation between my mind, my ideas, and my words. They are all distinct, yet they are united, for one’s words cannot be separated from his ideas, and his mind behind them. What is the essence?
6. The Personal Nature of The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is personal
The Holy Spirit is intelligent - 1st Corinthians 2:10 - 11
The Holy Spirit has feelings - Ephesians 4:30
The Holy Spirit has a Will - 1st Corinthians 12:11
The Holy Spirit teaches John 14:26, guides Romans 8:14, commissions Acts 13:4, commands men Acts 8:29, restrains men Genesis 6:3, intercedes Romans 8:26, and speaks John 15:26 and 2nd Peter 1:21
The Holy Spirit can be obeyed Acts 10; 19 - 21, lied to Acts 5:3, resisted Acts 7:51, reverenced Psalm 51:11, blasphemed Matthew 12:11, grieved Ephesians 4:30, and outraged Hebrews 10:29.
7. The Deity of The Spirit
The Holy Spirit is given names which are only appropriate to GOD (Romans 8:9, 1st Peter 1:11)
He is equally associated with The Trinity (Acts 5:3 - 4, 2nd Corinthians 13:14)
The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes (omniscience - 1st Corinthians 2:10 - 11), omnipresence - Psalm 139:7), (omnipotence - Genesis 1:2), (truth - 1st John 5:6), (holiness - Romans 1:4), (life - Romans 8:2 and 11), (wisdom - Isaiah 40:13)
The Holy Spirit does the works of God (creating - Genesis 1:2), (inspiring - 2nd Peter 1:21), (begetting Christ - Luke 1:35), (convincing men - John 16:8), (regenerating - John 3:5 - 6), (comforting - John 14:6), interceding - Romans 8:26 - 27), (sanctifying - 2nd Thessalonians 2:13)
The Spirit comes forth from God - John 15:26, Galatians 4:6, John 16:7
The Spirit is poured out on believers - Acts 2:33 and 10:45
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; Jn. 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6). ~ Dallas Theological Seminary Catalogue, 2000-2001, pg. 155
The Word “Trinity” means that God is a triunity: He is a plurality within unity. God has a plurality of persons and a unity of essence; God is three persons in one nature.
2. Historical Overview of the Trinity
Ancient Church and the Trinity (100-600)
Church Fathers and the Trinity (100-150)
Apologists and the Trinity (150-300)
Marcionism
Ebionites
Monarchianism
Dynamic (adoptionistic)
Modalism (Patripassianism)
Theologians and the Trinity (300-600)
Arianism
Council of Nicea (325)
Council at Constantinople (381)
Medieval Church and the Trinity (600-1500)
Early Modern Churches and the Trinity (1500-1750)
Protestantism and the Trinity
Augsburg Confession (1530)
Westminster Confession (1647)
Socinianism
Deism
Unitarianism
Roman Catholic Church
Council of Trent (1545-1563)
Late Modern Churches and the Trinity (1750-Present):
European Protestant Liberalism
Friedrich Schleiermacher
European Protestantism
Karl Barth
American Protestantism
Jonathan Edwards
Paul Tillich
Process Theology
Roman Catholic Tradition
Orthodox Tradition and the Trinity
Modalism: Also called sabellianim after its founder in 217-220, Sabellius, Modalism holds that God is only one person who appears in different modes or roles at different times in the divine economy.
Tritheism: the belief that there are three gods or three separate beings in the Godhead. Few, if any, have held this view consciously, though unwittingly many have fallen into it verbally by their incautious language about the Godhead.
Arianism: Following Arius (c. 250-336), its founder, this heresy denies that Jesus is fully God, allowing Him a created status below God. Arianism was opposed by Athanasius and condemned as heretical at the Council of Nicea.
Docetism: From the Greek word, “dokeo,” “I seem,” docetism affirms the deity of Christ but denies His humanity, claiming it was only an apparent, but not real, humanity.
Nestorianism: It is doubtful that Nestorius (d.c. A.D. 451) held the view bearing his name, though some of his followers ae credited with it. This perspective posited not only two natures in Christ (which is orthodox) but also two persons (which is not). Allegedly, if there is both a human and a divine person in Christ, then it was only the human person who died on the cross; hence, His sacrifice for our sins would have no divine efficacy.
3. Descriptions of the Trinity
There is only one “What” (essence) in God, but there are three “Whos” (persons) in that one “What.”
God has three “I’s” in His One “It”.
There are three “Subjects” in one “Object.”
4. Biblical Proofs of the Trinity
See Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine by H. Wayne House, pages, 48-49
5. Illustrations of the Trinity
Though no illustration of the Trinity is perfect, some are more biblical (and helpful) than others. The following are poor illustrations because they tend to imply modalism or tritheism:
Three States of Water: One popular used and bad illustration of the Trinity is one that teaches that the Trinity is like water, which has three states (solid, liquid, and gas). The problem with this is that no given drop of water is in all three states at the same time (there is a state where different drops of water in various stages of solid, liquid, and gas at the same time. But this would not illustrate trinitarianism, where one and the same drop to be in all three states at the same time). Yet God is both three and one at the same time. So despite the good intentions, this illustration implies the heresy of modalism (that God has one essence but is not three distinct persons).
Three Links in a Chain: Trinity is a three-link chain. The problem here is that the links are three different things. So in spite of whatever good motivations there may be behind it, what is being illustrated is tritheism, not trinitarianism. God is only one thing (substance), not three different ones joined together in some way.
Human body, soul, and spirit: Human Body, Soul, and Spirit. God is like man, who has body, soul, and spirit and yet is one. Even apart from the implied trichotomy, one problem with this is that the human soul and body separate at death. The members of the Godhead are inseparable. Further, God, has no body-He is pure Spirit (John 4:24).
One actor playing three roles
The following are better illustrations because three different elements exist in an undivided oneness at the same time:
A Triangle: God is like a triangle, which is one figure yet has three different sides at the same time-there is a simultaneous threeness in the oneness. Of course, no analogy is perfect, since in every analogy there is a similarity and a difference. The difference here is that “corners” are not persons. Nonetheless, they do illustrate how there can be a “threeness” and a oneness at the same time.
One to the Third Power: One to the Third Power: 1x1x1=1. God is three ones in One; He is not 1+1+1=3. That is the heresy of tritheism, which holds three different gods, not just one God.
God is love (1st John 4:16): “God is love” (1st John 4:16), and love involves three elements: a lover, a beloved, and a spirit of love. These three are one. One advantage of this example is that it has a personal dimension, in that love is something only a person does.
Mind, ideas, and Words: God is like the relation between my mind, my ideas, and my words. They are all distinct, yet they are united, for one’s words cannot be separated from his ideas, and his mind behind them. What is the essence?
6. The Personal Nature of The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is personal
The Holy Spirit is intelligent - 1st Corinthians 2:10 - 11
The Holy Spirit has feelings - Ephesians 4:30
The Holy Spirit has a Will - 1st Corinthians 12:11
The Holy Spirit teaches John 14:26, guides Romans 8:14, commissions Acts 13:4, commands men Acts 8:29, restrains men Genesis 6:3, intercedes Romans 8:26, and speaks John 15:26 and 2nd Peter 1:21
The Holy Spirit can be obeyed Acts 10; 19 - 21, lied to Acts 5:3, resisted Acts 7:51, reverenced Psalm 51:11, blasphemed Matthew 12:11, grieved Ephesians 4:30, and outraged Hebrews 10:29.
7. The Deity of The Spirit
The Holy Spirit is given names which are only appropriate to GOD (Romans 8:9, 1st Peter 1:11)
He is equally associated with The Trinity (Acts 5:3 - 4, 2nd Corinthians 13:14)
The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes (omniscience - 1st Corinthians 2:10 - 11), omnipresence - Psalm 139:7), (omnipotence - Genesis 1:2), (truth - 1st John 5:6), (holiness - Romans 1:4), (life - Romans 8:2 and 11), (wisdom - Isaiah 40:13)
The Holy Spirit does the works of God (creating - Genesis 1:2), (inspiring - 2nd Peter 1:21), (begetting Christ - Luke 1:35), (convincing men - John 16:8), (regenerating - John 3:5 - 6), (comforting - John 14:6), interceding - Romans 8:26 - 27), (sanctifying - 2nd Thessalonians 2:13)
The Spirit comes forth from God - John 15:26, Galatians 4:6, John 16:7
The Spirit is poured out on believers - Acts 2:33 and 10:45
Divine Attributes
The following is a paper I, Bryan D. Stallings, personally wrote. I am sharing it with you that it might further aid in your studies. To copy/paste this paper and submit as your own is PROHIBITED!