Topic 4 - The Trinity

Question 1

Explanation of the belief of the Trinity

Answer 1

• Simple idea that three persons - Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
• Considered to have three distinct personalities
• God the father: creator, who created earth and man
• God the son: was made flesh (John 1:3), spread word of god
• God the holy spirit: the son rose from the dead and then sent the spirit so he could return to the Father
• Despite distinct personalities, they manage to work in unity and are spoken of as ONE GOD in the old testament

Question 2

Bible references

Answer 2

Old Testament: reinforces there is only one God,
- “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! (Deut 6:4)”
- “I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. (Isa 45:5)”.
(Monotheistic religion)

New Testament: showing Jesus in a different light, forgiving sins - something only God could do
- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)”.

Question 3

Theophilus and Tertullian

Answer 3

180AD - Theophilus of Antioch (Christian Apologist) - used the word “trias” in reference to God, his word and his wisdom.

215AD - Tertullian (Latin Theologian) who used the word “trinitas” in a technical way to describe the relationship between the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
- Considered a serious attacking concerning the nature of God, where the doctrine began

Question 4

Arian Heresy

Answer 4

318AD - Arius (Priest of Alexandria) he created his own beliefs - he believed that the Father was fully God and that Jesus was not, but considered a lesser being. This is known as a false teaching (or heresy).

Question 5

Council of Nicea

Answer 5

325AD - The bishop of Athanasius would have none of this (believed Christ was fully God) - council was created to decide that Jesus was fully God (used against Arianism)

Council then created a creed - “God of god, light of light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the father.”

Question 6

Council of Constantinople

Answer 6

381AD - Creed didn’t mention H.S or humanity of Jesus -> creed adds the divinity of the H.S and how Christ was fully human.

Question 7

Council of Chalcedon

Answer 7

451AD - Nicene Creed was complete (reaffirmed that Christ was fully God and fully human, and that he and the holy spirit were of the same substance with the Father).

Question 8

Filioque Clause

Answer 8

1054AD - West inserted the filioque clause into the Nicene Creed without consulting the East.

• Addition of the words “and the son” to the sentence  “I believe in the Holy Ghost who proceeds from the Father and the Son”.
• This led to a split within the church no formal resolution and it was a minor change/development to the doctrine of the Trinity.
• The two churches, still today, have not resolved this dispute.

Question 9

How a religion expresses beliefs and how are they maintained?

Answer 9

Beliefs are maintained through creeds, rituals, worships, teachings and arts.
Nicene Creed - recited at most religious services, due to this reoccurrence of reciting – the doctrine is repeated and reaffirmed.
Baptism - Christians are baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Due to this reoccurrence of – the doctrine is repeated and reaffirmed.
Blessings - Given baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit with the sign of the cross. Due to this reoccurrence of – the doctrine is repeated and reaffirmed.
Trinity Sunday - essentially a teaching, repeated once a year (on the same day) - celebrates the concept of the Trinity.