Questions tagged [trinity]
The doctrine of the three-personhood of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who, though existing in three distinct persons and work towards different arenas, are the same God, of the same mind, and the same purpose.
577
questions
3
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Can Muslims be considered Muslims and Christians at the same time in the sight of God? [closed]
There are a number of Christians (groups that believe in Christ and name themselves "Christian") who don't believe in the Trinity. Many of these are broadly considered Christians.
Muslims ...
2
votes
1
answer
117
views
What do Reformed theologians mean that Catholics have the "more metaphysical conception" of God's grace?
In Derek Rishmawy's blog article defending how Reformed justification is not sub-Trinitarian, he compared fully Trinitarian Reformed approach as "the forgiving mercy of God" (via a quote ...
- 23.3k
-2
votes
4
answers
133
views
According to Chalcedonian Trinitarians, did Thomas - a devout Jew - believe God had died at John 20?
At John 20, Thomas initially refuses to believe other disciples' accounts of Jesus having been raised from the dead. When Jesus appears to Thomas, Thomas famously exclaims
"My Lord and my God!&...
- 6,636
-1
votes
1
answer
73
views
According to Chalcedonian Trinitarians, why did Jesus not mention himself at John 4:23?
John 4:23 has Jesus saying
"But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking
such as these to worship Him.&...
- 6,636
1
vote
3
answers
343
views
Why is the controversy of the fourth century called the 'Arian' Controversy?
Apparently, the terms “Arian,” “Arianism,” and “Arian Controversy” were derived from the name of Arius, who was in charge of one of the churches in Alexandria, and whose dispute with his bishop ...
- 1,708
0
votes
3
answers
113
views
Did Arius say that the Son is mutable?
Arius himself wrote that “the Son of God … is, like the Father, 'unchangeable’” (Rowan Williams, page 96) but Athanasius wrote that Arius taught that the Son is “like all others … subject to change … ...
- 1,708
7
votes
8
answers
1k
views
God's presence among us
I have a simple question: why does God not live with us directly? It seems He is revealing Himself to us only indirectly, as opposed to being with us as Someone we could reach just like another person....
- 181
3
votes
5
answers
239
views
According to Protestants who hold that belief in Trinitarianism is necessary for salvation, what happens to those who assent but don't understand?
It seems some Protestants hold that belief in Trinitarianism is required for salvation. According to those who hold this, is there a distinction between Christians who assent to this and understand ...
- 6,636
-7
votes
4
answers
370
views
God was born of Mary - really?
We must always say as well that God was born of Mary. From this accepted answer.
God is spirit and invisible and his face cannot be seen lest we die. Yet apparently it's OK for God to dwell within ...
1
vote
4
answers
172
views
Do Trinitarian denominations believe that the Holy Spirit is omniscient, and do any believe denying it is worthy of expulsion of members?
What is a survey of beliefs in contemporary Trinitarian denominations regarding whether the Holy Spirit - a co-equal person of the Godhead - is omniscient? Do any hold members should be expelled if ...
- 6,636
1
vote
4
answers
529
views
Why was homoousios used in the Nicene Creed?
The word homoousios is not in the Bible. It also was not a standard part of the Christian confession immediately before Nicaea. Rowan Williams described it as “the radical words of Nicaea” (RW, 236) ...
- 1,708
3
votes
1
answer
149
views
How do Unitarian see the Problem of sharing YHWHs Honor with the Son? Isaiah 48:11 and John 5:23
In Isaiah 48:11 we see that the Father YHWH does not share his Glory/Honor with anybody.
For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not ...
5
votes
3
answers
715
views
From whom or what did Arius learn his theology?
Where did Arius learn his theology? Did he rely on specific theologians that wrote before him? Origen? Clement of Alexandria? Lucian of Antioch? Were his ideas based on the Bible or on Greek ...
- 1,708
1
vote
0
answers
74
views
Why is it significant that Arius taught two Wisdoms? Was this a deviation of some kind?
Both Athanasius noted that Arius taught two Wisdoms. Athanasius wrote that in Arius’ theology,
“There are … two Wisdoms, one God's own who has existed eternally with
God, the other the Son who was ...
- 1,708
2
votes
3
answers
452
views
Should a Protestant accept the Nicene Creed? [closed]
In chapter 24.1 of his authoritative book on the fourth century Arian Controversy - The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God - Bishop RPC Hanson discusses how the various parties in that ...
- 1,708
2
votes
4
answers
90
views
According to Trinitarian theologians, why is Christ distinguished from God at 1 Corinthians 11:3 as a man is distinguished from Christ?
1 Corinthians 11:3 is
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and
the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
It seems we have 3 distinct beings in the ...
- 6,636
1
vote
3
answers
194
views
Did the early church believe that Jesus was uncreated?
Among the early church there was a dispute on the nature of Christ, with some Christians claiming that Jesus was not only God but was uncreated and some like Arius believing that Jesus Christ was ...
user60738
5
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How do Trinitarians respond to passages in the Bible that seem to clearly distinguish between God and Jesus after his ascension?
Dr. Steven Nemes writes in the article The revelation which God gave Jesus, after quoting the opening line of Revelation
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his
servants what ...
- 6,636
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
Given that Jesus can read minds. Why did God need to observe external behavior to know what was in the heart?
Given that Jesus can read minds. Why did God need to observe external behavior to know what was in the heart?
In Mark 2:8 it reads
And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so
...
4
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do those who hold Jesus = God in the Trinitarian sense account for Paul's reticence to state this clearly and consistently?
At the end of his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul says (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me
so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the ...
- 6,636
1
vote
3
answers
494
views
According to Trinitarians who believe Philippians 2:6 says Jesus is God, why did Paul add the word 'form' ('morphe')?
Philippians 2:6 is
"Ὃς ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα Θεῷ"
"Hos en morphe theou hyparchon ouch harpagmon hegesato to einai isa theo"
In his talk ...
- 6,636
3
votes
5
answers
3k
views
According to Trinitarian theology, how is Jesus God when he sits at the right hand of the true God?
Jesus claimed a lot of times that he was God and am going to quote some verses inexplicitly in the Holy Bible where he claimed that title.
John 8:57:
He was with the Pharisees and the Sadducees and ...
2
votes
1
answer
139
views
How can the hypostases be distinct? (Identity Trinitarianism)
NOTE: This question is aimed at those who hold a particular view of the Trinity. If you do not hold the view I am referring to, then this question is not directed torwards you
Thomists and other ...
- 498
2
votes
4
answers
545
views
How do Trinitarians deal with this contradiction regarding the Creator?
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
If a trinitarian is asked which God is being referred to, which God created the heaven and the earth at the beginning, MOST, if not ...
9
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How do Biblical Unitarians deal with the fact that the early church accepted the divinity of Christ?
This question is slightly related to How do Unitarians respond to quotations from Ignatius of Antioch that seem to show Ignatius believes Jesus is God? but I think I am presenting a unique challenge.
...
- 5,023
1
vote
6
answers
528
views
Jesus' Soul and Spirit? [closed]
What is the difference between soul and spirit?
When Jesus was made flesh he had human and divine natures. Being human, he had a human soul too. But In nature he is God. God is spirit.
Does anyone ...
- 1,078
-1
votes
3
answers
220
views
According to Trinitarians, which person/essence/being/substance/relation is "the Living God"?
Psalm 84:2
My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of YHWH; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the ...
6
votes
10
answers
1k
views
Can you help me solve this theological puzzle over John 1:14?
John 1:14 is generally used to say that "God" became "flesh" based on the understanding that "the Word" addressed in John 1:1 refers to God. However, several other texts ...
- 1,690
-1
votes
3
answers
374
views
In the Trinitarian view does Matthew 11:27 indicate the Holy Spirit does not know the Son?
Matthew 11:27
Young's Literal Translation
27 `All things were delivered to me by my Father, and none doth know the Son, except the Father, nor doth any know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom ...
0
votes
4
answers
209
views
If a non-believer asks a Trinitarian Christian to explain John 14:10, how might the latter oblige?
We see Jesus telling in John 14:10 the following:
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father ...
4
votes
6
answers
462
views
How do non-trinitarians reconcile Jesus' claims to be God, and the Father to be God, with the requirement for monotheism?
John said the Word was with God and was God (John 1:1), and the Word became flesh (John 1:14)—Jesus.
Jesus said "Before Abraham was I AM" (John 8:58)—Jesus' claim to be YHVH.
Jesus ...
0
votes
2
answers
157
views
Who do Trinitarians believe is Paul's God?
Premise
1Cor 8:6 KJV
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Romans 15:6 NASB
so that ...
2
votes
4
answers
338
views
Who do Trinitarians believe is the Apostle Peter's God?
Who do Trinitarians understand Peter's God to be?
Premise
Acts 3:13 NKJV (Peter speaking)
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered ...
-5
votes
6
answers
381
views
According to the triune concept, at what point does this logically structured statement become NOT True?
According to the concept of the Trinity, where does this logic fail?
There is One True God, YHWH
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is YHWH.
Jesus declares the 1 God to be the God of Abraham, Isaac,...
1
vote
1
answer
24
views
Does the Personalistic Norm apply to Divine Persons?
St. Pope John Paul II would be wont to say:
"the person is a good towards which the only proper and adequate attitude is love."
but in this sense, does "person" equally apply to ...
- 34.2k
3
votes
2
answers
162
views
How would I juxtapose between the unity of God (Shema) in Deuteronomy 6.4 and the concept of Trinity in the Old Testament
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
1
vote
4
answers
463
views
According to Trinitarians, who is seated on the Throne and who takes His scroll from His right hand, in Rev 4 and 5?
In Revelation 4 we see the Lord God Almighty sitting on the throne of heaven, who is described as the Creator of all things:
Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; ...
4
votes
5
answers
364
views
According to Trinitarians, who is the begotten "son" in Psalm 2 and what happened on this "day"?
Psalm 2
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: YHWH hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee
Question(s) - answer as many as you ...
3
votes
3
answers
370
views
Jesus says, that God the Father is a Spirit AND Paul says there is one (1) Spirit. How do trinitarians understand who or what the Holy Spirit is?
Premise
Jesus tells the woman at the well to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for ...
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
How do Biblical Unitarians explain the use of the singular in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17?
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 is
"16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by
grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and ...
- 6,636
3
votes
0
answers
136
views
Are WLC's arguments against Relative Identity Trinitarianism valid?
In his book Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, William Lane Craig offers three arguments against Relative Identity.
The first argument regards the alleged "spurious" nature ...
- 498
0
votes
1
answer
389
views
Trinity as God in Three Persons or Manifestations? [duplicate]
Where does scripture support the Holy Spirit is a Person? Where in scripture is it essential-for-salvation to claim God is in Three Persons?
How does the claim of 'God in Three Persons' reconcile the ...
- 356
8
votes
7
answers
316
views
Why does the Book of Revelation allocate such a subordinate role to the Holy Spirit?
Revelation’s visions often put the Son with the Father, but the Holy Spirit is generally absent. For example:
Receiving the Book of Revelation
“God” gave the visions of Revelation to “Jesus Christ” ...
- 1,708
2
votes
1
answer
376
views
How do those who believe Jesus was eternally the Son explain Jesus being chosen?
Luke 9:35 is
And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have
chosen. Listen to Him!”
The concept of 'choosing' entails a chronological sequence of events, where one is ...
- 6,636
3
votes
0
answers
42
views
Why don’t the baptisms in Acts use the trinitarian formula? [duplicate]
At the end of the book of Matthew, we see Jesus’ command for baptism in the name of all three persons of the trinity:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of ...
- 550
4
votes
4
answers
432
views
How do Trinitarians understand the phrase 'image of God' as in Colossians 1:15?
Colossians 1:15-20 is often cited by Trinitarians as evidence that Jesus is God, because they tend to believe it is describing Jesus as creating all thing and holding all things together in an ...
- 6,636
4
votes
1
answer
248
views
Emanuel Swedenborg's view on Trinity
This wiki page says that:
Emanuel Swedenborg explained in his theological writings how the Divine Trinity exists in One Person, in One God, the Lord Jesus Christ, which he said is taught in ...
- 9,915
3
votes
1
answer
219
views
Are there different Trinitarian foundations?
I read with interest a comment on CSE recently that stated-
Scoping the question to Trinitarians in general may open the door to doctrines that may have some biblical basis, but are mostly based on ...
3
votes
1
answer
224
views
Do Trinitarians believe Jesus has (or had) two centres of consciousness?
I recently read a pastor talking about how while Jesus was a baby in the manger, he was simultaneously keeping the entire universe running.
Yet a baby consciousness is very different, presumably, from ...
- 6,636
2
votes
1
answer
422
views
+100
How do Biblical Unitarians explain 1 Timothy 3:16, which says "God was manifest in the flesh"?
1 Timothy 3:16 seems like a pretty straightforward knock-out punch for Trinitarianism.
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh[.]" (KJB)
...
- 6,636