The Triune God (Y11 - Spring 1) Flashcards
What is the Christian Belief about the Triune God
The Christian Belief that there are three persons in one God.
Its also called the Holy Trinity
6 Key Beliefs about the Triune God
- There is only one God
- Within the one God, there are 3 persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
- The three persons are still all God
- The three persons are equal (but not the same)
- The terms Trinity and Triune God show that God is a ‘community of Persons’
- The Trinity is a mystery (cannot be fully understood)
With the Triune God, state what ‘is’ God and what ‘is not’ God
Is:
- God is the Father
- God is the Son
- God is Spirit
Is Not:
- God the Father is not God the Son
- God the Son is not God the Spirit
- God the Spirit is not God the Father
Bible Evidence for the belief in One God
“Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one”
Deuteronomy 6:4
Where have the words Trinity and Triune come from (e.g Catholic Church or the Bible?)
The words Trinity and Triune do not appear in the Bible, it is from Catholic Teaching that have taken evidence of this from the Bible. Justification is found throughout the New Testament, more specifically in the Baptism of Jesus.
Who was the Messenger that God promised to send to warn the people of the Messiah’s coming
God promised he’d send a messenger to warn people of the Messiah’s coming. Catholics believe this person was John the Baptist. He came with an urgent message which was repentance. He was vocal about people showing repentance publically and baptising people.
What happened in Jesus’ Baptism and how is the Trinity portrayed in it
When Jesus came up from the water John heard the voice of God and saying “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”
God the Holy Spirit (represented by a white dove).
Here, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit were all present at once, proving the Trinity/Truine God
Why do Catholic Baptisms happen Today?
Today, the Catholic Church baptises infants (and adults) as they believe that baptism absolves you from Original Sin and initiates you into the Church.
Why was Jesus’ Baptism Important
Jesus’ Baptism was important because:
- It shows Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God
- It shows that God is three persons - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
- The three persons are separate yet united
- God has fufilled his promise to send a Messiah (and a messenger)
- Jesus realises that he is the Son of God
- It is the beginning of Jesus’ leadership and ministry
- Baptism today is the entry point for becoming a Christian
What was the only time other than Jesus’ Baptism where all 3 persons in one God were present
The only other time all three persons were present was in the act of Creation:
- “when God created the heavens” (shows God is the Father, as the Father is seen to be creative”
- “Then God said ‘Let there be light’” (shows God is the Son, as God created using his Word - a reference to the Son (Word) of God)
- “while a wind from God” (shows God is the Spirit, as breath/holy spirit in Hebrew is translated as ‘wind’ in English)
All of these quotes come from the creation story in Genesis 1: 1-3
Definitions of Apostle and Disciple
Apostle:
“One who is sent out” (by God)
Disciple:
Any follower of Jesus
How is Authority passed on
The authority (special charism or power) is passed on by the bishop laying hands onto the person who is being ordained.
In this sense, Christ is present in the Papacy, guiding the Magesterium.
Where does the Authority of the Magesterium come from
Catholics believe that Jesus gave his 12 apostles apostolic authority to lead the Catholic Church on earth. As leader of the 12, Peter received special authority to lead the Church as pope.
“You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church” (Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:19)
At Pentecost, it is believed the apostles received a special power (charism) from the Holy Spirit to use for the good of the Church.
The pope and the bishops today are seen as part of an unbroken, direct line that goes back to the 12 apostles and Jesus himself
How is the authority passed on?
The authority (special charism or power) is passed on by the bishop laying his hands onto the person who is being ordained (becoming a priest).
In this sense, Christ himself (God the Son) is present in the Papacy, guiding the Magisterium.
How is the Catholic Church concilliar
Occasionally, the pope and bishops (Magisterium) hold councils (meetings) to discuss important issues, make decisions and new teachings.
The Catholic Church can therefore be described as conciliar.
(The last council heard was the Second Vatican Council, V2)
What are the Catholic Church’s expectations of how Catholics should follow Magesterium
Catholics are expected to take Magisterium teachings very seriously. This is because:
• Authority to make decisions has come from Christ himself
• The Magisterium is guided by God in making correct doctrines
(teachings).
When a pope makes an official doctrine he can choose to declare it infallible - meaning that it cannot be wrong (in reality, even this decision would be in consultation with bishops).
How did the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) come about (why did it happen)
One of the most important debates took place at the beginning of the fourth century CE, about a heresy called Arianism. The priest Arius taught that only God the Father was eternal. He said that the Son had a beginning before time began, so so ‘there was when he was not’.
The bishops of the Church met at a Council in the Turkish town of Nicaea in 325CE to discuss this idea, which they decided to reject.
What were the two Main Teachings of the Council of Niceaa
The main teachings of the Council of Nicaea were:
- The Son is eternally begotten from the Father. This means the Son has no beginning or end but is eternal
- The Father and Son have always existed together: co-eternal, co-equal, of one nature.
How did the Council of Constatinople (381 CE) come about (why did it happen)
After the Council of Nicaea, there were further disputes about the nature of the Holy Spirit. A second council was called in Contantinople in 381CE. Here, teaching that implied that Jesus was not fully human were rejected. The position of the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity was also affirmed.
What did the Bishops declare in the Council of Constantinople
The bishops declared that:
- The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the Giver of Life
- He proceeds from the Father
- He with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified
- He spoke through the prophets
What two Catholic Teachings are Infallible
- The Immaculate Conception (belief that Mary did not have Original Sin)
- Mary was Assumed into heaven (body and soul)
What parts of the Nicene Creed demonstrates that God is the Father
‘I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.’
What parts of the Nicene Creed demonstrates that God is the Son
‘I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.’
What parts of the Nicene Creed demonstrates that God is the Spirit
‘I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.’
Eternal Definition
Something/someone that has always existed. Has no beginning and no end
Nicene Creed Definition
A statement of Catholic Beliefs. Recited at Mass today.
Who made the Creed said at Mass, and How was it made
This bishops at Nicaea devised a creed - a statement of the Catholic faith that all believers accept. The creed was amended at Constantinople. The Nicene-Contantinoplitan Creed is still used as the basis of Catholic faith, and is the creed recited at Mass.
What are the two Key Teachings from the Council of Nicaea
- The Son is eternally begotten from the Father.
(Begotten means to bring something about that is of the same nature - so confirms that the Son is eternal) - The Son is consubstantial with Father.
(Made of the same substance as the Father - there is no difference in nature (Father and Son are eternal)
3 Ways God the Father is explained in the Nicene Creed
God is Creator of all things
“Maker of heaven and earth”
He is omnipotent/almighty
“The father almighty”
God is one
“I believe in one God”
3 Ways God the Son is explained in the Nicene Creed
The Son shares the nature of the Father. The Son is eternally begotten
“The Only Begotten Son of God”
There is no distraction between the Father and the Son
“Consubstantial with the Father”
The Son took on the limitations of human nature (he did not have an earthly father)
“By the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary”
3 Ways God the Spirit is explained in the Nicene Creed
The Spirit of God gives life to all things
“The Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life”
The Spirit comes from both the Father and the Son, uniting them
“Who proceeds from the Father and the Son”
The spirit inspires people to let them know God’s will
“Who has spoken through the prophets”
What are two main Teachings from the Council of Constantinople
- Jesus is fully human and fully God
- The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity (Lord, giver of life, e.c.t)