The Son of God view: The Trinity Flashcards

1
Q

Question: What is the Trinity?

A

Answer: The Trinity is the doctrine in Christianity that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Question: How does the trinitarian view characterize the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A

Answer: According to the trinitarian view, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Persons (hypostases), each fully God, coexistent, coeternal, and coequal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Question: What key points are outlined in the Nicene Creed regarding the Trinity?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed affirms belief in one God, declares Christ as the Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, and emphasizes the unity of Christ’s essence with the Father. It also acknowledges the role of the Holy Spirit in Christ’s incarnation and glorification.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Question: What historical event led to the formulation of the Nicene Creed?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed was formulated during the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, convened by Emperor Constantine to address theological disputes about the nature of God’s relationship to Jesus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Question: How did the Nicene Creed settle the dispute over the nature of God’s relationship to Jesus?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed affirmed the trinitarian view, asserting that Christ is the Son of God, “eternally begotten” of the Father, and of one Being with the Father.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Question: What additional theological development followed the Nicene Creed?

A

Answer: The Chalcedonian Definition, established by the Council of Chalcedon in A.D. 451, affirmed that Christ possesses two natures (divine and human) united in one being.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Question: What does the Chalcedonian Definition state about Christ’s nature?

A

Answer: The Chalcedonian Definition declares that Christ has two natures (divine and human) that are united without confusion, change, division, or separation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Question: How did the Nicene Creed describe the role of the Holy Spirit?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed affirms belief in the Holy Spirit as the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is worshipped and glorified with them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Question: What key phrase in the Nicene Creed emphasizes Christ’s divine nature?

A

Answer: The phrase “begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father” emphasizes Christ’s divine nature and eternal relationship with the Father.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Question: What historical significance does the Nicene Creed hold in Christianity?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed is considered a foundational statement of Christian doctrine, particularly regarding the nature of God and the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Question: Who convened the Council of Chalcedon, and what was its purpose?

A

Answer: The Council of Chalcedon was convened by Emperor Marcian in A.D. 451 to address theological controversies surrounding the nature of Christ’s being.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Question: What concept does the Nicene Creed reject regarding Christ’s nature?

A

Answer: The Nicene Creed rejects the notion that Christ was made or created, affirming instead his eternal begottenness from the Father.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Question: How does the Trinity doctrine affirm monotheism?

A

Answer: The Trinity doctrine asserts that there is one God, despite acknowledging three distinct Persons within the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Question: What role did Emperor Constantine play in the formulation of the Nicene Creed?

A

Answer: Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 to resolve theological disputes, resulting in the formulation of the Nicene Creed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Question: What theological concept is emphasized in the phrase “eternally begotten” in the Nicene Creed?

A

Answer: The phrase “eternally begotten” underscores the eternal and uncreated nature of Christ’s relationship with the Father, affirming his divine origin and equality with God.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Question: What theological concept is affirmed in the statement: “Christ is truly God and truly Man”?

A

Answer: The statement affirms the doctrine of the Incarnation, which teaches that Jesus Christ possesses both divine and human natures.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Question: How does the statement describe the relationship between the two natures of Christ?

A

Answer: The statement emphasizes that the two natures of Christ (divine and human) are united without confusion, change, division, or separation, in what is known as the hypostatic union.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Question: What term is used to describe the unity of the two natures in Christ?

A

Answer: The unity of the two natures in Christ is described as the hypostatic union, where both natures coexist in one Person.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Question: How is Jesus Christ characterized in the statement?

A

Answer: Jesus Christ is characterized as “One and the same Son,” who is acknowledged as both truly God and truly Man.

20
Q

Question: What is emphasized about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A

Answer: The statement emphasizes the equality and eternality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, affirming their coexistence as three Persons within the Godhead.

21
Q

Question: What theological term is used to describe the unity of the divine essence in the Trinity?

A

Answer: The term “ousia” is used to denote the one divine Substance shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Christian monotheism.

22
Q

Question: How does the statement affirm the unique nature of Jesus’ relationship with God?

A

Answer: The statement asserts that Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, fully God and fully Man, uniquely united in the hypostatic union.

23
Q

Question: What role does Jesus play in the Trinity according to the statement?

A

Answer: Jesus is affirmed as the Son of God and the second person of the Holy Trinity, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

24
Q

Question: What doctrine of the Christian faith does the statement declare regarding Jesus?

A

Answer: The statement declares the doctrine of the Incarnation, affirming Jesus’ dual nature as both divine and human, without confusion or mixture.

25
Q

Question: What is the significance of affirming Jesus’ two natures in Christian theology?

A

Answer: Affirming Jesus’ two natures as fully God and fully Man underscores the completeness of his redemptive work and his ability to serve as the mediator between God and humanity.

26
Q

Question: According to Channing, what is the fundamental problem with the Trinitarian view of Jesus?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Channing argued that the Trinitarian view of Jesus leads to “infinite confusion” because it posits Jesus as simultaneously possessing contradictory qualities, such as being both human and divine.

27
Q

Question: What does Channing argue about the compatibility of human and divine qualities in one being?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Channing contends that human and divine qualities are inherently incompatible and contradictory, asserting that something cannot be both human and divine at the same time.

28
Q

Question: How does Channing illustrate the problem with the Trinitarian view of Jesus?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Channing uses examples of contradictory qualities attributed to Jesus, such as being weak and almighty, ignorant and omniscient, to highlight the inherent confusion in the concept of Jesus as both human and divine.

29
Q

Question: What analogy does John Hick use to support the argument against the Trinitarian view of Jesus?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: John Hick likens the assertion that Jesus is both human and divine to the illogical claim that a circle drawn on paper is also a square, suggesting that such assertions lack coherent meaning.

30
Q

Question: What is the central point of Hick’s argument regarding the Trinitarian view of Jesus?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Hick’s argument centers on the logical inconsistency of attributing contradictory qualities to Jesus, suggesting that the notion of Jesus being both human and divine is inherently paradoxical and devoid of meaningful explanation.

31
Q

Question: How does Hick propose to resolve the paradoxical implications of the Trinity?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Hick proposes that viewing Jesus as a mere human being, rather than as both human and divine, eliminates the inherent contradictions and confusion associated with the Trinitarian concept.

32
Q

Question: According to Channing and Hick, why is it problematic to assert that Jesus is both human and divine?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Channing and Hick argue that attributing both human and divine qualities to Jesus leads to conceptual confusion and logical inconsistency, as these qualities are fundamentally incompatible and contradictory.

33
Q

Question: What does Hick’s analogy of a circle and a square suggest about the Trinitarian view of Jesus?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Hick’s analogy suggests that the assertion of Jesus being both human and divine is as nonsensical as claiming that a circle can simultaneously be a square, highlighting the logical absurdity of the Trinitarian doctrine.

34
Q

Question: How does Hick’s argument challenge the traditional understanding of the Trinity?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Hick’s argument challenges the traditional understanding of the Trinity by questioning the coherence of attributing contradictory qualities to Jesus, thereby calling into question the validity of the Trinitarian doctrine.

35
Q

Question: What alternative solution does Hick propose to the theological problem posed by the Trinity?

The Incoherence of the trinity.

A

Answer: Hick proposes the view that Jesus was merely a human being, devoid of divine attributes, as a resolution to the paradoxical implications of the Trinitarian doctrine.

36
Q

Question: How do theologians like Augustine and Karl Barth characterize the doctrine of the Trinity?

The trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith.

A

Answer: Augustine and Karl Barth characterize the doctrine of the Trinity as a mystery that transcends human comprehension and must be accepted on faith rather than understood through reason

37
Q

Question: According to Barth, why did he express relief at Augustine’s admission regarding the term “person” in relation to the Trinity?

The trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith.

A

Answer: Barth expressed relief at Augustine’s admission because it affirmed that human language, including terms like “person,” is inadequate to fully describe the mystery of the Trinity, emphasizing the incomprehensibility of the concept.

38
Q

Question: How do theologians like Augustine and Barth view attempts to fully understand the Trinity through reason?

The trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith.

A

Answer: Augustine and Barth reject attempts to fully understand the Trinity through reason, considering such endeavors misguided. They maintain that the Trinity is beyond human comprehension and can only be accepted through faith.

39
Q

Question: What does Barth mean when he says, “A really suitable term for it just does not exist” in reference to the Trinity?

The trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith.

A

Answer: Barth suggests that there is no adequate human language or terminology to fully capture or describe the mystery of the Trinity, indicating the limitations of human understanding in grappling with divine concepts.

40
Q

Question: How do Augustine and Barth approach the application of human reason to understanding God?

The trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith.

A

Answer: Augustine and Barth reject the application of human reason to understanding God, asserting that divine mysteries such as the Trinity transcend the limitations of human intellect and can only be apprehended through faith.

41
Q

Question: What is the foundation of Barth’s argument regarding the Trinity’s support in the Bible?

The success of Barth’s argument

A

Answer: Barth’s argument regarding the Trinity’s support in the Bible relies on the interpretation of biblical passages as affirming the triune nature of God, as understood within the Christian tradition.

42
Q

Question: What role does natural theology play in Barth’s rejection of human reason’s ability to provide knowledge of God?

The success of Barth’s argument

A

Answer: Barth rejects natural theology, which seeks to understand God through reason and observation of the natural world, believing that true knowledge of God can only be obtained through revelation and faith, rather than human reasoning.

43
Q

Question: How does Barth’s stance on natural theology influence his perspective on the Trinity?

The success of Barth’s argument

A

Answer: Barth’s rejection of natural theology underscores his emphasis on the Trinity as a divine mystery that transcends human understanding, suggesting that attempts to comprehend God through reason alone are insufficient to grasp the complexity of the Trinity.

44
Q

Question: What criteria does Barth use to evaluate the validity of the trinitarian view?

The success of Barth’s argument

A

Answer: Barth evaluates the validity of the trinitarian view based on its alignment with biblical teachings and the Christian tradition, rather than relying solely on human reason or philosophical arguments.

45
Q

Question: What implications does Barth’s rejection of natural theology have for understanding the Trinity?

The success of Barth’s argument

A

Answer: Barth’s rejection of natural theology suggests that understanding the Trinity requires a reliance on divine revelation and faith, rather than human reasoning, emphasizing the mysterious nature of the Trinity beyond human comprehension.