Christianity: Concept of God as a Trinity of Persons

Question 1

What is the concept of the Trinity?

Answer 1

There is one God but three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Question 2

What is the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Answer 2

• They are separate but they are all God
• God the Father is the creator of the Universe
• God the Son is God incarnate
• God the Holy Spirit is metaphysical - it is the presence of God that is always with Christians

Question 3

Explain the different Christian attitudes towards the Trinity.

Answer 3

• Some Unitarian groups e.g. the Christadelphians, do not believe in the Trinity because they believe it goes against the monotheism of Christianity
• Many Christians believe you have to believe in the Trinity to be Christian, so Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christian

Question 4

What is the Filioque controversy?

Answer 4

• In the Nicene Creed used by the Western Churches (Roman Catholic and Protestant), it states: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son”. The Western Churches added “and the Son”.
• The Eastern Churches (mainly Orthodox) took offence to this, causing the Eastern-Western split. They do not have “and the Son”.

Question 5

What does the Nicene Creed state about the Trinity?

Answer 5

• “We believe in one God, the Father”
• “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God”
• “By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man”
• “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
  Who proceeds from the Father (and the Son)
  Who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified.
  Who has spoken through the prophets.”

Question 6

What does the Apostles’ Creed state about the Trinity?

Answer 6

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.”

Question 7

Compare the views on the Trinity in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed.

Answer 7

Both:
- There is one God, who is the father
- Jesus is his Son, and our Lord
- Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
Nicene:
- The Holy Spirit has a greater role: it gives life, proceeds from the Father and Son, is worshipped along with them, and speaks through prophets
Apostles':
- God is the creator of heaven and earth