Who is God (The Trinity)

Blessed Trinity

Really 1 divine nature, essence, substance. 1 God in 3 divine persons: Father. son, Holy spirit. Really 3 persons, each distinct.

Nature

what something is

Reason

individual with a rational nature

rational

has intellect & will

Consubstantial

of the same substance/being

Theophany

manifestation/appearance of God

Divine attributes

Simplicity, Perfection, Goodness, Infinity, Omnipresence, Immutability, Eternity, Unity

Infinity

without limit; complete & perfect

Immutability

unchangable

Eternity

the whole & simultaneous possession of endless life

Unity

one, not many, not divided, whole not partial

Relations of Origin

The father begots/generates the son

The son is begotten/proceeds from the father

The holy spirit proceeds from the father and the son

2 Theophanies of the whole Trinity in the gospels

1. The baptism in the Jordan

2. Transfiguration

Baptism in the Jordan

father- voice

son- humanity of Jesus

holy spirit- dove

Transfiguration

father- voice

son- humanity of Jesus

holy spirit- cloud

God has immutability, eternity, and is omniscient. He is simple and not composite. We are composite because we are strictly physical bodies and spiritual souls

simplicity

Titles of the holy spirit

Paraclete

Advocate

Consoler

Spirit of truth

Anointing

Creation in the old testament

by the breath of God hovering over + the baptism waters

Exodus in the old testament

through the pillar of cloud + fire

the holy spirit fills John while he’s still in his mothers womb

visitation

He prepares Mary for the incarnation

annunciation

God’s 2 Great Operations of Spirit

1. Know infinitely

2. Love infinitely

God is

1 Divine nature

-therefore 1 intellect & 1 will

-3 persons

-distinct but not separate

-each is wholly himself & conscious of himself as himself and of the other as other