Lesson 10 Flashcards
Briefly explain the modalist doctrine
God revealed Himself as Father in creation, Son in incarnation, and the Holy Ghost is regeneration and sanctification
State the basic points of the trinitarian doctrine
a. There is “one God in three persons” (the Trinity)
b. These persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and of co-essence
c. Their distinguishing characteristics are as follows: The Father is unbegotten, the Son is begotten (generated), and the Spirit is proceeding (spirated)
d. Each person participates in the work of the others
How does the trinitarian use of the term “person” lead to tritheism?
Since trinitarians attempt to reject the concept of three gods, they usually are reluctant to describe God in terms of three beings, personalities, or individuals. It tends toward subordinationism, diminishing the deity of Jesus
How is subordinationism a problem in trinitarian doctrine?
Their use of Christ’s prayers, lack of knowledge, and lack of power to prove “God the Son” is different from God the Father. Even while asserting the co-equality of the Son and the Father, they often deny it in a practical way and confess they do not understand what it really means.
Name three prominent modalist leaders in church history
- Noetus
- Praxeas
- Sabellius
What was the dominant view of the Godhead in the immediate post-apostolic age?
The Christian leaders following the apostles did not allude to a trinity, but rather they affirmed their belief in the monotheism of the Old Testament and accepted without question the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
How and through whom did the trend towards binitarianism develop in the second century?
Philo, some of the Greek apologists began to view the Logos as a separate person from the Father. This was not trinitarianism, however, but a form of binitarianism, and one that subordinated the Logos to the Father. To them the Father alone was the real God and the Logos was a created divine being of second rank
Who introduced the basic language of trinitarianism to Christianity and what was his basic teaching on the Godhead?
Tertullian was the first person recorded by history to use the words trinity, substan, and person in relation to God. He was the first to speak of three persons in one substance
What key concept did Origen contribute to trinitarian doctrine?
The doctrine of the eternal Son. He taught that the Son or Logos was a separate person from all eternity, and that the Son was begotten from all eternity and is eternally being begotten
State the basic views on the Godhead associated with Athanasius
Took the position that the Son is co-equal, co-eternal, and of co-essence with the Father. This is now the view of modern trinitarianism. He can be considered the true father of modern trinitarianism
