Doctrine of God: THE TRINITY

Question 1

2a. What three insights about God, when simultaneously affirmed constitute the “grammar” of the doctrine of the Trinity?

Answer 1

The Christian Doctrine of the Trinity is constituted by three propositions that must be affirmed concurrently rather than consecutively:

• There is Only One God
• This God Exists Eternally in Three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• These Three are Equal in Divinity and Possess Alike the Same Essence

Question 2

2b. What three heretical tendencies emerge when two of these three affirmations are honored and the third is slighted and name which affirmation is slighted by each particular heresy?

Answer 2

MODALISM (no simultaneous):

• Modalism affirms that there is one God who exists as Father, Son, and Spirit.
• Each “mode” possess the fullness of the divine essence.
• In Modalism God exists potentially as Three Persons but not eternally in Three Persons. God manifests Himself successively in various modes.
• Modalism affirms that these three exist sequentially but not simultaneously.

SUBORDINTIONISM (3 as hierarchy):

• Subordinationism asserts that there is only one God.
• Three essentially separate Persons must be considered, however, when discussing our knowledge of God. What is at stake is the proposition that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alike possess the divine essence.
• Rather, subordinationism suggests that the Three Persons exist simultaneously but as a hierarchy.

TRITHEISM (no singularity of God):

• Tritheism insists upon the eternal existence and full equality of the Three Persons in the Godhead.
• It denies, however, the monotheistic doctrine of the singularity of God.
• Tritheism affirms that Three Persons exist simultaneously but denies their existence as a Singularity.

Question 3

2c. What contrasting “trajectories” concerning the Trinity are associated with developments in the West – often attributed to the thought of Augustine - and the East - often associated with the Cappadocian Fathers? 


Answer 3

ONE-IN-THREE:
The “Threeness” is approached from the direction of the 
“Unity”
Western Tradition
Augustine
Psychological Analogy

THREE-IN-ONE:
The “Unity” is approached from the direction of the 
“Threeness”
Eastern Tradition
Cappadocian Fathers
Social Analogy

Question 4

2d. What, according to lecture and the text, are some of the implications of Trinitarian doctrine?

Answer 4

God’s “Mystery” is Logical and Sensible

1. Our knowledge of God is “a posteriori.”
2. We speak of a “Trinity” because a “Trinity” is what God has revealed himself to be. Put differently, the “Economic Trinity” leads to the “Essential,” “Immanent” or “Ontological” Trinity.
3. The Fundamental Reality of the Universe is Relational
4. The World’s Diversity is Rooted in God’s Reality: Paganism alternates between Monism and Polytheism.
The Eternity of God is Characterized by Love God’s Triune Life is a Dance of Perichoresis

Question 5

2e. According to the lecture and to Michael Reeves what does the doctrine of the Trinity affirm about God that is more foundational than His status as “Creator” and what difference does this make for the Christian Gospel?

Answer 5

• John 17 describes the relationship between Father and Son
• God is LOVE as a FATHER to His SON
• The SON deeply loves us as the father loves him

Question 6

2f. What model was considered, by the professor, to be particularly helpful in understanding the life of the Trinity?

Answer 6

Trinity Diagram

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Question 7

2g. What have you learned that has helped you in living in light of the Triune God?

Answer 7

God is the one true GOD. He has chosen to interact with us in 3 unique ways as FATHER the creator, SON the Savior, and the HOLY SPIRIT who partners with us.