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Questions and Answers
Tertullian was a proponent of modalism, which emphasizes one God taking on different roles.
Tertullian was a proponent of modalism, which emphasizes one God taking on different roles.
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The narrative of Jesus's baptism is an example where all three persons of the Trinity interact simultaneously.
The narrative of Jesus's baptism is an example where all three persons of the Trinity interact simultaneously.
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Modalism suggests that the Father, Son, and Spirit refer to distinct individuals within the Godhead.
Modalism suggests that the Father, Son, and Spirit refer to distinct individuals within the Godhead.
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The concept of the pre-existent Word in John's gospel implies that something existed with God before Jesus's earthly ministry.
The concept of the pre-existent Word in John's gospel implies that something existed with God before Jesus's earthly ministry.
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The suggestion that one can only encounter a mask of a person applies to the relationship between God and humanity according to modalism.
The suggestion that one can only encounter a mask of a person applies to the relationship between God and humanity according to modalism.
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The doctrine of the Trinity was developed primarily to emphasize the subordination of the Father to the Son.
The doctrine of the Trinity was developed primarily to emphasize the subordination of the Father to the Son.
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Clement of Alexandria exemplifies the approach of viewing the Son as a subordinate mediator between God and creation.
Clement of Alexandria exemplifies the approach of viewing the Son as a subordinate mediator between God and creation.
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Origen's theology is considered straightforward and free of ambiguity.
Origen's theology is considered straightforward and free of ambiguity.
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The Spirit is viewed by Origen as the cause and originator of all creation.
The Spirit is viewed by Origen as the cause and originator of all creation.
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The movement in Origen's Trinitarian theology flows outward from the Father, through the Logos and the Spirit, and then back to the Father.
The movement in Origen's Trinitarian theology flows outward from the Father, through the Logos and the Spirit, and then back to the Father.
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Basil differentiated the terms related to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to assert their unity and identity of being.
Basil differentiated the terms related to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to assert their unity and identity of being.
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The term 'homoousios' originates from biblical scripture.
The term 'homoousios' originates from biblical scripture.
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The Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 CE under the leadership of Emperor Constantine The Great to settle disputes within the Church.
The Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 CE under the leadership of Emperor Constantine The Great to settle disputes within the Church.
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The Cappadocians' theology was unanimously accepted by scholars as aligning with Athanasius' definition of Nicene orthodoxy.
The Cappadocians' theology was unanimously accepted by scholars as aligning with Athanasius' definition of Nicene orthodoxy.
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Gregory of Nyssa wrote a work to defend the idea that the Cappadocian theology implies the existence of more than one God.
Gregory of Nyssa wrote a work to defend the idea that the Cappadocian theology implies the existence of more than one God.
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The additions to the baptismal confession made at Nicaea were designed to be widely accepted by all factions within the Church.
The additions to the baptismal confession made at Nicaea were designed to be widely accepted by all factions within the Church.
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Homoousias, as discussed by Athanasius, refers to a diversity within the divine essence.
Homoousias, as discussed by Athanasius, refers to a diversity within the divine essence.
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The Council of Nicaea effectively settled all theological debates surrounding Trinitarian relations.
The Council of Nicaea effectively settled all theological debates surrounding Trinitarian relations.
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The term 'generic humanity' was considered sufficient to describe the unity among the three persons of the Trinity.
The term 'generic humanity' was considered sufficient to describe the unity among the three persons of the Trinity.
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Contemporary scholars unanimously agree on the significance of the Council of Nicaea and view it as a pivotal moment in Christian history.
Contemporary scholars unanimously agree on the significance of the Council of Nicaea and view it as a pivotal moment in Christian history.
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Study Notes
Introduction to the Trinity
- The doctrine of the Trinity is a solution to a problem faced by early Christians.
- The problem is a perceived contradiction between Judaism's strict monotheism and the worship of Jesus as God.
- Orthodox Jewish tradition emphasized monotheism, reciting prayers stating "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord alone" (Deuteronomy 6:4).
- This monotheism is reinforced in the Ten Commandments, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 20:2-3).
- Christianity inherited this monotheistic tradition from Judaism.
Monotheism and the Worship of Jesus
- The apostle Paul, in condemning idolatry, affirmed the existence of only one God, the Father (1 Corinthians 8:4).
- Early Christians, while worshipping Jesus as God, remained committed to monotheism.
- Evidence includes prayers to Jesus and worship hymns.
- The religious environment of the Roman Empire included many deities. Early Christians' devotion to Jesus did not imply polytheism.
Sabellian Modalism
- This perspective suggests one God who takes on different roles through time (e.g., creator, redeemer).
- It's analogous to an actor who plays various parts in a drama.
- The biblical drama of creation, redemption, and new creation form the analogy.
- Paul's letter to the Colossians (1:15-20) speaks of Christ's role as creator and redeemer.
Logos Theology
- This approach focuses on the pre-existence of Jesus, with the Word (Logos) preceding earthly ministry.
- An important idea to consider from the Gospel of John's prologue (John 1:1-14).
- This pre-existing Word was with God and was God himself before becoming flesh in Jesus.
The Development of Trinitarian Theology
- Various historical figures have contributed to the development of perspectives on the Trinity over time.
The Apologists
- Individuals like Justin Martyr (100-165 CE) turned from Platonism to explore the connection between philosophy and Christianity.
- They used the concept of Logos to develop the theology of the Logos.
Subordinationism
- This approach highlights that the Father holds a superior position within the Trinity.
- Prominent figures like Justin Martyr and Origen of Alexandria addressed the supremacy of the Father, contrasting his relationship with other members of the Trinity.
- Some believe that Justin's approach to the Trinity suggests that the Son was a subordinate agent of God.
The Cappadocian Fathers
- Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Basil of Caesarea.
- They played key roles in refining and defending the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity.
Arianism and the Council of Nicaea
- Arius, a priest in Alexandria, argued that the Son was created, implying a hierarchical structure where the Father was more divine than the Son.
- The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) responded by defining the concept of "homoousios" (of the same substance) to clarify the equality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within a unified God.
- Significant theological debates about whether there were three distinct gods or a single God in three modes of presentation (tritheism, modalism, or subordinationism) continued.
- These disputes were important for understanding the formulation of core Christian doctrine and contributed to the development of Trinitarian theology as the Council of Nicaea and later the council of Constantinople formally articulated the Trinity in the Christian faith.
The Holy Spirit
- Athanasius and other theologians stressed that the Spirit played a significant role in salvation, emphasizing the Spirit's divine nature and unity within the Trinity.
- They linked the works of the Father, Son, and Spirit to the unity of one God.
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Test your understanding of the theological concepts surrounding the Trinity, including the roles of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Revise your learning on key figures like Tertullian and Origen, and their perspectives on God's nature and the doctrine of the Trinity. (Image: Andrei Rublev - Public Domain, accessed from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54421)
