Theology Proper--Trinity

Definition of the doctrine of the trinity

Godhead exists as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are ONE in essence and nature, yet THREE in distinct person and work. They are coequal, coexistent, and coeternal.

Essence

what you are—”ousia”

Person

who you are—”hypostasis”

WHAT God IS

• God is one in respect to essence/nature → unity!

• God is three in respect to Persons → diversity! 

What God is NOT

• NOT both numerically 1 and 3 → God is one in essence in 3 persons

• NOT 1/3 of the divine essence

• NOT separated from each persons 

Unity & Diversity

God is eternally one essence subsisting in three distinct and ordered persons w/o division and w/o replication of the essence. 

Tri-theism definition 

three Gods who are united around loose association called “Godhood”

Tri-theism problem

denies the UNITY of the Trinity

modified form of polytheism 

Modalism definition

Trinity is one of revelation/manifestation. Father/Son/Holy Spirit are modes of various forms of God (one God that appears in 3 modes)

Modalism problems

denies the DIVERSITY of the Trinity

Arianism definition

Only one God—the Father. Jesus Christ is similar substance but not fully divine, created being 

Arianism problems

modern-day Jehovah’s witness

denies the coequal, coexistent, and coeternal aspects of the Son and Spirit 

Oneness of God

affirmation of Jesus Christ Himself, by Paul, and by James

“GOD IS ONE”

Oneness of the 3 Persons

“I and the Father are one.”

Sending Order

Father sends the Son

Father and Son send the Holy Spirit 

Son sends the Holy Spirit 

The Father eternally begets … and eternally spirates …

the Son … the Holy Spirit

The Son is eternally begotten of … and eternally spirates …

the Father … the Holy Spirit

The Spirit eternally proceeds from …

the Father and the Son