DOCTRINE EXAM 2 THE TRINITY HERESIES & CREEDS Flashcards
1
Q
What does doctrine #3 say?
A
We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
2
Q
the trinity: O.T.
INCLUDES WHAT?
A
A progressive revelation Ø Old Testament Ø Need to focus on monotheism - DT 6:4 Ø Prophecies of ‘Messiah’ Ø Theophanies Ø Presence of the Spirit Ø Anointing Ø Empowering
3
Q
THE TRINITY: NT
What does it include?
A
New Testament Ø Incarnation Ø Jesus – One with the Father Ø Father-son relationship Ø Witnesses to the Holy Spirit Ø Pentecost Ø God indwells believer through Spirit
4
Q
the trinity: the epistles.
what does it include?
A
Epistles Ø Apostles’ teaching Ø Church Ø Focused on salvation & survival – doctrines were not first priority (esp. of Trinity) Ø Heresies forced universal formalization of beliefs
5
Q
the trinity; Church history
what does it include?
A
Ø Church history Ø Tertullian – Substantia (essence) Ø Arius & Athanasius Ø Debate leading to the Nicene Creed Ø Arius Ø Questions divinity of Christ Ø Athanasius Ø Defends essence & co-equality
6
Q
the trinity : church 2
what does it contain?
A
History of the Church, cont. Ø Eastern Orthodoxy Ø Cappadocian Fathers Ø Hypostasis - Individuality Ø Homoousios – of one substance, essence Ø Augustine – Model of the ‘Interior Being’
7
Q
trinitarian heresies
modalism
what does it include?
A
Ø Modalism Ø God projects himself in three ways, or modes Ø Loses ‘personhood’ of each Ø Denies relationship between three distinct persons
8
Q
trinitarian heresies
Tritheism
what does it include?
A
Ø Tritheism Ø Three separate gods 1+1+1=3 Ø Different characteristics, desires & objectives Ø Denies unity of the Godhead
9
Q
trinitarian heresies
subordinationism
what does it include?
A
Ø Subordinationism Ø Belief that the Father is eternally superior to the Son and the Spirit - hierarchy Ø Misinterpretation of monotheism Ø Denies co-equality of three persons
10
Q
CREEDS
include what?
A
Ø Confessions of faith Ø Simple declarations Ø Identified Christians Ø Used in rites – baptism, etc. Ø Defense of sound doctrine - orthodoxy Ø Define truth Ø Exclude/correct error
11
Q
CREEDS
the apostles creed
what do they include?
A
Ø THE APOSTLES CREED (HOD 278-9) Ø Early third century Ø Based on universal baptismal formula – ‘I Believe’ Ø All three persons are mentioned
12
Q
CREEDS
the nicene creed
what do they include?
A
Ø THE NICENE CREED (HOD 279) Ø First ecumenical council, Nicea, AD 325 Ø To debate and combat arianism Ø Arius: the Son is inferior to the Father – denies the Son’s Deity Ø Creed affirms the unity of God & the divinity of the Son & Spirit
13
Q
CREEDS
the athanasian creed
what do they include?
A
THE ATHANASIAN CREED (HOD 279-281) Ø Amplification of the Nicene Creed Ø Example of early doctrinal instruction
14
Q
what does Ephesians 3:14-17 say?
A
FOR THIS REASON I KNEEL BEFORE THE FATHER, FROM WHOM HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH DERIVES ITS NAME. I PRAY THAT OUT OF HIS GLORIOUS RICHES HE MAY STRENGTHEN YOU WITH POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN YOUR INNER BEING, SO THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH. -EPHESIANS 3:14-17a (NIV)
