GOD’S UNITY AND TRINITYCHAPTER 40

Geisler, NormanGeisler, NormanSystematic TheologySystematic Theology

PPt prepared by Mark E. Hardgrove, Ph.D.

Systematic Theology

Systematic TheologyGeisler, Norman

Geisler, NormanChapter 40Chapter 40

““God’s Unity and Triunity”

God’s Unity and Triunity”

God’s UnityGod’s Unity

Definition of God’s Unity:God is one Being, in contrast to many beings. There

is one and only one God (monotheism) as opposed to many gods (polytheism).

There are three related words that should be distinguished:

1.Unity—There are not two or more gods’2.Simplicity—There are not two or more parts in

God.3.Triunity—There are three persons in the one God.

(Geisler)

Biblical Basis for God’s Biblical Basis for God’s UnityUnity

Gen. 1:1Deut. 6:4Ex. 20:3Isa. 44:6; 45:18Mark 12:291 Cor. 8:4Eph. 4:61 Tim. 2:5

God’s TriunityGod’s Triunity

God is not only a unity, He is a triunity; that is, there is not only one God (monotheism), but there are three persons in that one God. This is the orthodox teaching of the Trinity.

(Geisler)

What Trinity is NotWhat Trinity is Not

Trinity does not mean that there are three gods (tritheism), it does not mean that God as three modes of one and the same being (modalism).

Tritheism denies the absolute simplicity of God, and modalism denies the plurality of the persons of God. The former claims there are three beings in the Godhead, and the later affirms there are not three persons in God.

What Trinity IsWhat Trinity Is

Trinity means that God is a triunity; He is plurality within unity. God has a pluraity of persons and a unity of essence; God is three persons in one nature. There is only on “What” (essence) in God, but there are three “Whos” (persons) in that one What. God has three “I’s” in His one “It”—there are three Subjects in one Object.

(Gielser)

God’s TrinityGod’s Trinity

Definition of God’s Trinity:

The doctrine of the Trinity is based on two basic biblical teachings:

1)There is one and only one God.2)There are three distinct persons who are

God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

PersonhoodPersonhood

In addition to declaring God to be one in nature or essence, the Scriptures affirm that there are three distinct persons who are God. All are called God, and all have the essential characteristics of a person.

(Geisler)

PersonhoodPersonhood

Personhood is traditionally understood as one who has intellect, feelings, and will. All three of these characteristics are attributed to all three members of the Trinity in Scripture. Essentially, personhood refers to an “I” a “who,” or a subject. Each I in the Trinity possesses the power to think, feel, and choose.

(Geisler)

Biblical Support for Teaching the Biblical Support for Teaching the TrinityTrinity

Please look at the biblical support offered by Geisler, pp. 540-548.

Also, know the functional order in the Trinity, pp. 548-549.

Poor Illustrations of the Poor Illustrations of the TrinityTrinity

Know why the following are poor illustrations of the Trinity:Three States of WaterThree Links in ChainHuman, Body, Soul, and SpiritOne Actor Playing Three RolesOne Family Member with Three Roles (Father, Son, Husband)

Better Illustrations of the Better Illustrations of the TrinityTrinity

Please be familiar with the better illustrations of the Trinity and why they are better (Geisler, 551-552)

A TriangleOne to the Third PowerLove is TrifoldMind, Ideas, and Words

Heresies Regarding God and Heresies Regarding God and ChristChrist

Know the difference between these heresies (Geisler, p. 552-554):

•Tritheism•Modalism•Arianism•Docetism•Nestorianism•Monophysitism•Patripassionism•Monotholitism

•Apollinarianism•Subordinationism•Monarchianism•Adoptionism•Binitarianism

Heresies

Tritheism – the belief that there are three gods or three separate beings in the Godhead.

Modalism – holds that God is only one person who appears in different modes or roles at different times in the divine economy. (Also called saballianism after its founder Sabellius [c. 217- c. 220].) This is the view of the United Pentecostal Church

Arianism - Founded by Arius (c. 250 – 336) denies that Jesus is fully God, allowing Him a created status below God. This is the view of Jehovah Witnesses.

Heresies

Docetism – affirms the deity of Christ but denies His humanity, claiming He only “seemed” to be real human.

Nestorianism – proposed that Jesus had two natures and two persons. While orthodox Christianity would affirm two natures, it would disavow the claim that He was two persons.

Monophysitism – confuses the two natures of Christ, so that divine and human natures intermingle in an eternal an uncreated blending of human and divine.

Heresies

Patripassianism – literally means the “Father suffered,” it holds that God the Father suffered on the cross as well as Christ. However, the divine nature of Christ did not die or suffer because God is impassible.

Monotholism – held that Jesus has only one will, not both a human and a divine will. It confuses His two natures.

Apollinarianism – diminished the humanity of Christ while affirming His full deity, claiming that logos replaced the human spirit in Christ.

Heresies

Subordinationism – asserts that the Son is subordinate in nature to the Father. In orthodox belief, Jesus is functionally subordinate to the Father, but in essence Jesus is equal with the Father.

Monarchainism – stressed the unity (monarchy) of God to the neglect of Christ’s deity, viewing Jesus as only a power or influence from God. There were two types: modalists and adoptionists.

Heresies

Adoptionism – rooted in monarchianism, flourished in the 8th century. Viewed Jesus as only a man who was adopted by God because of Jesus’ divine powers. Said to have occurred when God declared from heaven: “This is my Son” (Matt. 3:17).

Binitarianism – holds that there are two persons in the Godhead by denying the personality of the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Godhead.