The Trinity

Question 1

How is the Trinity present at Creation?

Answer 1

Spirit brooded over the water, (Genesis 1:2) the voice of God (Jesus) spoke, and God created the world

Question 2

What is the formula of the meeting in Nicea, 325?

Answer 2

Jesus is fully divine, begotten of God. God is one Being in three persons.

Question 3

Arius

Answer 3

• Jesus was not fully divine, so he was created (not begotten) of God
• Jesus was closer to God than other humans, but not fully God
• Jesus was homoiousios with the Father - similar substance

Question 4

Athanasius of Alexander

Answer 4

• Jesus was fully human AND fully divine, so He was created (not begotten) of God
• He is the same substance of the Father - homoousios

Question 5

What are some concerns, from Arius’s perspective?

Answer 5

He worried about God getting His divine hands dirty by becoming human - He wanted to keep God safe from impurity

Question 6

What are some concerns, from Athanasius’s perspective?

Answer 6

He was concerned about salvation - If Jesus was not fully divine, then he couldn’t save the human race. Only God can save.

Question 7

What is the Trinitarian controversy

Answer 7

Jesus is fully human and divine, so He is a member of the Trinity

Question 8

Trinity (definition)

Answer 8

the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together as one God in one Godhead.

Question 9

Immanent Trinity

Answer 9

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are transcendent and unknowable

Question 10

Economic Trinity

Answer 10

Father, Son, and Spirit work with humanity on earth to bring about the kingdom of God and redemption

Question 11

The Trinity (Immanent and Economic) is the language used primarily by (Eastern/Western) churches

Answer 11

Western

Question 12

Essence of God

Answer 12

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one, unknowable God

Question 13

Energies of God

Answer 13

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work in the world for redemption

Question 14

The Essence and Energies of God is the language used primarily by the (Eastern/Western) churches

Answer 14

Eastern

Question 15

What are some ways to describe the Trinity?

Answer 15

*God over us (Father), God for us (Son), God in us (Spirit)
* Creator (God), Redeemer (Son), Sanctifier (Spirit)

Question 16

The Social Trinity

Answer 16

Eastern theologians understood God as a “person” rather than a substance. The Trinity is a community of love. Embraces perichoresis.

Question 17

The Invitational Trinity (perichoresis)

Answer 17

Perichoresis is the circular dance the Trinity moves in around us. The dance refers to the work in God’s kington. The Triune God of love invites us into the Divine perichoresis as partners. See Zephaniah 3:17.

Question 18

The Participational Trinity

Answer 18

The Triune God invites us to participate in the work of God in the world

Question 19

The Non-Violent Trinity

Answer 19

The relationship between Father, Son and Spirit is not one of violence, it is one of love.