Trinity Part II

o The Definition of Trinity:
§ In Christianity, the doctrine of the Trinity states that God is one being who exists, simultaneously and eternally, as a mutual indwelling of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
§ Since the 4th century, in both Eastern and Western Christianity, this doctrine has been stated as "three persons in one God," all three of whom, as distinct and co-eternal persons, are of one indivisible Divine essence, a simple being.

o Reference to the Trinity in Scripture
§ Scarce, in the Old Testament we are offered hints to the Trinity.
§ It’s not until the Coming of the Son of God that God manifests itself in three different persons. The most poignant manifestation is at the Baptism of Jesus.
§ Some of the places where we see the Trinity’s members active through Scripture:
· Creation
· Ezekiel
· Yahweh who continually makes reference to himself as a parent
· Jesus (The Logos λόγος )
· The Paraclete
· John’s Gospel

o The Trinity in Early Church Teaching
§ Teaching on the Trinity has its roots in the Early Christian Era. Church fathers and Apologists tried to reason out the Trinity. Later on great theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas would again write tomes trying to explain this mystery. Unfortunately, we can only rely on the inferiority of our human mind and what God has revealed to us to attempt any explanation.
§ Creed
§ CCC
· 234 The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the "hierarchy of the truths of faith". The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men

o Who are the Members of the Trinity?
§ Father is the Creator, he is the parent-like “Persona”. The Father’s role is to create and to nurture that creation.
§ The Son is the Redeemer.
· Catholic Teaching on Jesus’s Divinity/Humanity.
· God made man,
§ The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son,
· Present at Creation,
· Ruah, Holy Breadth of life and Inspiration


o The Effects of the Trinity.
§ Jesus’ command was to go out and preach and baptize in the name of the Trinity. When one is baptized, one receives the Trinity.
§ The work of the Trinity is strengthened through participation in the Sacraments.
· Baptism
· Confirmation
· Eucharist
§ Since we are made in the image of God, we take on the image of the trinty.
· Creators- we participate with God in the life creating process
· We are anointed at baptism to share in the role of King, Prophet and Priest, all of which are traits perfected in Christ.
· We are called to, like Jesus, develop the kingdom here on earth.
§ When we are baptized we receive the Holy Spirit as well. It is this spirit that allows us to recognize and understand the movement of God in our lives.