This paper is an evaluation of the Christian concept of the Trinity. We will first define the term and examine Scriptural support, then review the initial historical development of the Trinity including heretical errors. We will switch to discussing the post-Schism adoption, further evolution and new heresies relating to the Trinity during that period. And finally, the paper will close with a personal appraisal and application.
Trinity Terminology and Scriptural Support
To begin, let’s define the Trinity. The word itself is not used in Scripture but was coined by Tertullian (165 to 220 A.D.) in a debate response to Praxeus on this topic (Ryrie 1999, 63). There are many definitions available, each one imperfect as we are discussing a mysterious …show more content…
Additionally, if Christ was not also God, he could not redeem humanity through his death and resurrection. A universal agreement supporting the deity of Christ was critical. The disagreement between Athanasius and Arius was widely known, pulling in Constantine who called a council at Nicaea in 325 A.D. with three hundred bishops convened to review and resolve the issue (Enns 2014, 454). Their conclusion favored Athanasius and the first version of the Nicene Creed (see Appendix 1) was adopted ecumenically across the Eastern and Western Christian churches, become the new Christian profession of faith (Holcomb 2014, 38). This first version of the Nicene Creed contains critical verbiage regarding the relationship of the Father to the Son, stating they were of identical substance (homoousis). While the Holy Spirit is in the Nicene Creed, it is with little emphasis. This lack of attention opened the doors to fallacies around the deity, equality, and eternality of the Holy Spirit (Ryrie 1999, 64).
The next generation of Church Fathers who significantly influenced the development of the Trinity was Augustine (354-430) and a group of three Eastern Orthodox leaders referred to as the Cappadocian Fathers. They were Basil of Caesarea (c.330-379), Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395), and Gregory of Nazianzen (329-89). These four individuals were influential in many ways, but certainly …show more content…
It suggests that we are adding concepts to Scripture. However, the supporting concepts are there, and as Martin Luther felt, one could accept, "the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity because he felt it was taught in Scriptures through he felt that faith alone could comprehend it” (Ryrie 1999, 66). I consider my reaction on the topic of baptism. I disregarded the infant debate because God is not explicit, you have to infer or apply conjecture. Therefore it must not be important. What am I to do here? My appraisal and application: I trust in the work of the Church Fathers and profess the faith which they
Trinity Terminology and Scriptural Support
To begin, let’s define the Trinity. The word itself is not used in Scripture but was coined by Tertullian (165 to 220 A.D.) in a debate response to Praxeus on this topic (Ryrie 1999, 63). There are many definitions available, each one imperfect as we are discussing a mysterious …show more content…
Additionally, if Christ was not also God, he could not redeem humanity through his death and resurrection. A universal agreement supporting the deity of Christ was critical. The disagreement between Athanasius and Arius was widely known, pulling in Constantine who called a council at Nicaea in 325 A.D. with three hundred bishops convened to review and resolve the issue (Enns 2014, 454). Their conclusion favored Athanasius and the first version of the Nicene Creed (see Appendix 1) was adopted ecumenically across the Eastern and Western Christian churches, become the new Christian profession of faith (Holcomb 2014, 38). This first version of the Nicene Creed contains critical verbiage regarding the relationship of the Father to the Son, stating they were of identical substance (homoousis). While the Holy Spirit is in the Nicene Creed, it is with little emphasis. This lack of attention opened the doors to fallacies around the deity, equality, and eternality of the Holy Spirit (Ryrie 1999, 64).
The next generation of Church Fathers who significantly influenced the development of the Trinity was Augustine (354-430) and a group of three Eastern Orthodox leaders referred to as the Cappadocian Fathers. They were Basil of Caesarea (c.330-379), Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395), and Gregory of Nazianzen (329-89). These four individuals were influential in many ways, but certainly …show more content…
It suggests that we are adding concepts to Scripture. However, the supporting concepts are there, and as Martin Luther felt, one could accept, "the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity because he felt it was taught in Scriptures through he felt that faith alone could comprehend it” (Ryrie 1999, 66). I consider my reaction on the topic of baptism. I disregarded the infant debate because God is not explicit, you have to infer or apply conjecture. Therefore it must not be important. What am I to do here? My appraisal and application: I trust in the work of the Church Fathers and profess the faith which they