Doctrine of the Trinity

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY is unquestionably a Biblical truth although the actual word, “trinity” may not appear in the Bible.^[1] The first use of the term “Trinity” has been attributed to Tertullian as being the first to use it when he wrote Against Praxis in 215AD.^[2]  Oden raises a valid point that Tertullian’s own testimony declares that “this rule of faith has come down to us from the beginning of the gospel, even before any of the heretics…” By this statement it is evident that Tertullian did not invent the word, trinity, but rather passed on the language to subsequent generations.^[3] This is also evidence that the word trinity was preserved as opposed to established at the Council of Nicaea. The view held by Claunch that “The anti-Arian polemics of the fourth century eventually gave rise to a consensus Trinitarian grammar, often referred to as pro-Nicene theology”^[4] is not in line with the classic consensus on the matter. Far from originating in the Middle Ages, some have recently concluded that “the core of Trinitarianism is preserved and developed in the Middle Ages”^[5]

Whilst there is an emphasis on divine unity in the Old Testament, we see the individual Persons of the Trinity in their separate responsibilities needed for man’s redemption in the New Testament, although there are also references to the divine oneness of essence. The answer to question 11 of the Westminster Larger Catechism states the matter succinctly, that “The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only.”^[6] It is in this manner that deity is attributed to all three Persons of the Godhead, hence the trinity:

            “All the divine attributes as well as the properties of personality are ascribed to each Person of the Godhead with so much certainty and frequency, that the fact of a triune mode of existence cannot be doubted by an unprejudiced mind. On the other hand, disclosures equally plain and numerous are made which present God as essentially One. These two averments of the Bible are alike authoritative and, therefore, to the same degree demanding as to their recognition. Though no finite mind has ever comprehended how three Persons may form but one Essence, that precise truth is the testimony of all parts of the Bible.” (Chafer 1993, Vol I. 273)

Some erroneous teachings about the trinity are obvious, for example, the views of Armstrong,^[7] whilst some creep in more discreetly, like the view of Claunch who feels that “whilst the doctrine [of the Trinity] comports easily with the conviction that God is one, it raises difficult questions concerning the equally significant conviction that God is simultaneously three.”^[8] The view noted by Chafer above, is in line with the classical consensus which reflects the view of the worshipping community that has been accepted over two millennia and this view clearly contradicts Claunch.

The plural pronouns found in Scripture are not the best proof of the Trinity but serve the purpose of “underscoring” the Triunity.^[9] It is worthwhile to note that the plural pronouns found in Scripture do not reflect Polytheism. There is no similarity whatsoever between Polytheism and the Biblical doctrine of a Trinity of Persons representing one essence.^[10] The Bible does not teach Polytheism. It teaches Monotheism without modification,^[11] meaning that the three Persons of the Trinity have unity but not transmutation.^[12] Whilst this is difficult to understand, “we cannot keep silent on a matter so central to Biblical faith (Augustine, Trin. 1.2, 3).^[13] The doctrine of the Trinity is a matter of increasing interest today. This has been the case since Karl Barth “recovered” the doctrine of the trinity for the church, mid- to late-twentieth century. Christopher Hall tries to understand the reason for the renewed interest in this doctrine.^[14]  Debates have arisen between classical vs relational trinitarianism. It has also been said that both of these are actually relational and that the relational trinitarians would do better to call themselves social trinitarians which would be closer to the classical view of Persons.^[15] Ross Hastings argues well for the case of a “classical social (personal and relational) trinitarianism”^[16] The increased interest in the Trinity has even led to the Worldwide Church of God (which are viewed as a cult, in the main) to change its stand on the Trinity.^[17]

Our very history, which is universal, reflects the activity of the Trinity in creation, redemption and consummation. God’s plan of salvation offered in Jesus is by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“From the time of the apostolic fathers (Hippolytus, Irenaeus, and Tertullian), triune language has been definitive of orthodox Christian teaching accepted alike by Protestants, Catholics, and Eastern church communions (Council of Nicaea; Gregory Nazianzus, Orat. 38.8). It provides a shorthand term used to express in a single word what Scripture teaches in many discrete passages. It is not merely a speculative or theoretical or optional teaching, but is regarded by consensus as essential to the Christian understanding of God” (Gregory Thaumaturgus, COC 2: 24; Athanasian Creed; Augsburg Conf. I; Thirty-nine Articles) (Oden n.d., 108)

The testimony and teachings of the apostolic fathers is rooted in Scripture. Passages like Isaiah 48 where the Lord’s Servant, the promised Messiah says,

 “‘Come near to me and listen to this: From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happens I am there.’ And now the sovereign Lord has sent me, with his Spirit” (Isa. 48: 16, italics added; Jerome, Comm. on Is. 13.16). (Oden n.d.)

The “me” is interpreted as Jesus by classical exegetes. This passage, one of many, reflects the Trinity.^[18] It is not only here that we see the Trinity in Scripture. As Chafer said, it is the testimony of all parts of the bible.

The very structure of Christian teaching is Triune, as seen in the three articles of the Apostle’s Creed: “God the Father Almighty, God revealed in the Son, and God the Spirit currently present in the church manifesting the power of the resurrection (Interrogatory Creed of Hippolytus, CC: 23). In fact, the very development of early Christian theology was with the purpose of explaining, teaching, and reasoning for and about baptism (the celebration of entry into the community of believers), which was done in the name of the Trinity, being, all three Persons of the Godhead who were recognized by the earliest worshiping community as distinguishable from one another, yet each one as equally God.^[19] They are distinct from one another. The Father will always be the Father to the Son and the Son will always be the Son to the Father and the Holy Spirit proceeds from them both.^[20]

Anselm said that if the smallest amount of evidence exists and there is nothing greater than that to contradict it then it is only reasonable to accept that piece of evidence.^[21] The numerous scriptural references in support of the Trinity,^[22] make it reasonable to agree that “There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.”^[23] As one gives thought to this doctrine it is important to also search out one’s own heart, and even ask the Holy Spirit for help because our own inclinations constitute a voluntary element in our belief or disbelief of a doctrine.^[24]

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregal Publications, 1993), Vol 7, p307

[2] Earle E. Cairns, Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1996),110

[3] Thomas C. Oden, Systematic Theology: Classic Christianity, (Toronto: HarperCollins e-books, n.d.),118

[4] Kyle Claunch, What God hath done together: defending the historic doctrine of the inseparable operations of the Trinity, (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 56, no 4, 2013: 781-800),781

[5] Stephen R. Holmes, The Quest for Trinity: The Doctrine of God in Scripture, History, and Modernity, (Trinity Journal, 2012: 264-267),266

[6] Erol Bortucene. Harmony of the Reformed Confessions: the Trinity. May 25, 2012. https://confessionalism.wordpress.com/tag/reformed-doctrine-of-the-trinity/ (accessed 5 14, 2018).

[7]  Alan W. Gomes, Winds of Change in the Worldwide Church of God: With Special Emphasis on the Doctrine of the Trinity, (Presbyterion, 2 20, 1994: 91-108),

[8]  Claunch, ibid, 782

[9]  Thomas C. Oden, Systematic Theology: Classic Christianity, (Toronto: HarperCollins e-books, n.d.), 547

[10] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregal Publications, 1993), Vol 1, 172

[11] Ibid, 24

[12] William Greenough Thayer Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1894),388

[13] Thomas C. Oden, Systematic Theology: Classic Christianity, (Toronto: HarperCollins e-books, n.d.), 105

[14] Christopher A. Hall, Adding Up the Trinity: What is stimulating the renewed interest in what many consider the most enigmatic Christian doctrine? (Christianity Today 41, no 5, April 28, 1997: 26-28), 26-28

[15] Ross Hastings, Two Views of the Doctrine of the Trinity, (Crux, Spring 2015: 32-36),32

[16] Ibid, 32-36

[17] Alan W. Gomes, Winds of Change in the Worldwide Church of God: With Special Emphasis on the Doctrine of the Trinity, (Presbyterion, 2 20, 1994: 91-108), 95

[18] Thomas C. Oden, Systematic Theology: Classic Christianity, (Toronto: HarperCollins e-books, n.d.), 110

[19] Thomas C. Oden, Systematic Theology: Classic Christianity, (Toronto: HarperCollins e-books, n.d.), 121

[20] Cooper P. Abrams III. Understanding the Bible Doctrine of the Trinity. n.d. (http://bibletruth.org/Trinity.html) accessed May 16, 2018.

[21] William Greenough Thayer Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1894), 79

[22] Cooper P. Abrams III. Understanding the Bible Doctrine of the Trinity. n.d.

 (http://bibletruth.org/Trinity.html) accessed May 16, 2018.

[23] Erol Bortucene. Harmony of the Reformed Confessions: The Trinity. May 25, 2012. https://confessionalism.wordpress.com/tag/reformed-doctrine-of-the-trinity/ (accessed May 14, 2018).

[24] William Greenough Thayer Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1894), 79