Research Paper_The Trinity_Final

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Research Paper: The Holy Trinity Justin Schalow THEO525-B11: Systematic Theology I October 8, 2023

Contents Introduction…… .... ……………………………...………………….……………………………1 Trinity Defined……………….…………………………………………………………………..2 God the Father…………..……………………………………………………………………3 God the Son…………………………………………………………………………………...3 God the Spirit…...…………………………………………………………………………….4 The Trinity and The Early Church.…………………………………………………………….4 The Trinity Within the Old Testament………………………………………………..………..6 New Testament Theological Implications………………………………………………………8 God the Son…..……………………………………………………………………………….8 God the Spirit…………………………………….…………………………………………10 Closing…………………………………………………………………………………………...12 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….15 ii

1 Introduction R.L. Saucy, in his astute observation on the biblical revelation of the Trinity, notes, "Although the Trinity finds its clearest evidence in the New Testament, suggestions of a fullness of plurality are already found in the Old Testament revelation of God. The Plural form of the name of God (Elohim), as well as the use of plural pronouns (Gen. 1:26; 11:7), point in this direction." 1 One God manifests Himself as the creator and sustainer of the world, the savior of humanity from the peril of sin in the form of God the Son, and the guiding and enlightening advocate to His followers as God the Spirit throughout the entirety of the biblical canon. God is singular, and the Son and the Spirit are equally and entirely God, distinct in their roles yet possessed of equal power. While the canonical scriptures do not explicitly expound upon the trinitarian perspective of God, the triune essence of God, existing in the equal yet distinct persons or Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is implicit throughout the Bible. This understanding forms the foundation of the Christian faith, proving indispensable in discipleship and fundamental to a comprehensive grasp of the scriptures. One of the most notable statements within the New Testament affirming the work of all three members of the trinitarian Godhead within the life of the believer was spoken as an instruction by the resurrected Jesus as He gave guidance to the disciples regarding their future in ministry, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:19-20, ESV). With this passage in mind, this examination will seek to answer the question: How does the doctrine of the Trinity influence contemporary Christians, and what significance does this 1 R.L. Saucy, “Son of God,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology second edition , ed. Walter Elwell. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), 503.

2 doctrine have in the modern-day believer’s life and the modern church? The burden of this presentation is to communicate that while not explicitly taught within the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity characterizes God and his relationship to man. God’s existence in three distinct persons (The Holy Trinity) is foundational within the work of discipleship, crucial to the believer's enlightenment of divine principles, and necessary for the redemption of sinful mankind. Trinity Defined Trinitarian doctrine finds its foundation on two essential premises. Firstly, it emphasizes monotheism, affirming the indivisible unity of God, as expressed in Deuteronomy 6:4, which states, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." Secondly, it builds upon the concept of God's threefold revelation as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, implying a triune nature of God, where the oneness and threeness coexist. 2 This apparent paradox may initially appear contradictory, as noted by Bosserman, who observes, "An initial tension arises between the monotheistic emphasis inherent in covenantal personalism and the distinctive revelation in the new covenant that God is indeed three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." 3 Jerry M. Henry articulates the concept of the Trinity, defining it as "The Theological term used to define God as an undivided unity expressed in the threefold nature of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit." 4 Again, these three persons of the Trinity operate in 2 Elmer Towns, Theology for Today , eds. Michele Baird, Maureen Staudt, and Michael Stranz. (Mason: Cengage, 2008), 364. 3 B. A. Bosserman, The Trinity and the Vindication of Christian Paradox: An Interpretation and Refinement of the Theological Apologetic of Cornelius Van Til. (Havertown: James Clarke Company, Limited, 2015), xvii. 4 Jerry M. Henry, “Trinity,” in Holman Bible Dictionary: The Complete Guide to Everything you Need to Know About the Bible , eds., Marsha A. Ellis Smith, Forrest W. Jackson, Phil Logan, Chris Church, and Trent C. Butler. (Nashville: Holman, 1991), 1372.

3 separate and distinct roles within the life of the believer, but all three are equally God and derive from a single divine entity, further articulated within the following explanations. God the Father The Bible establishes the Father as its principal subject, His presence evident from the inception of time (Gen. 1:1). Later, within the concluding chapter of Revelation, He is referred to as the "Alpha and Omega," denoting that he is both the origins and the conclusion (Rev. 22:13), signifying that He alone is the originator and sustainer of all observable existence. Nothing exists apart from Him, yet everything comes to existence because He alone holds the power to permit it. God the Son God the Son, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, encapsulates a profound theological mystery termed the hypostatic union. This concept captures the coexistence of two distinct natures—divinity and humanity—within the singular hypostasis or two natures ( dyo physes ) within the person of Jesus Christ. 5 Jesus, as the Son of God, manifests as the unblemished sacrificial lamb, possessing the capacity to serve as an appeasement for the transgressions of God's people. In an act of supreme selflessness, Jesus temporarily set aside His divine nature to fully immerse Himself in the human experience, all the while leading an impeccable and sinless existence on Earth. Ultimately, His purpose was to offer reconciliation for the transgressions of those who would recognize Him as God and place their trust in Him for salvation. God the Spirit The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the triune God, possesses distinct attributes and engages in actions characteristic of personhood. Elmer Towns explains that the personality of the 5 C. Blaising, “Hypostatic Union,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, second edition, ed. Walter Elwell. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), 583.

4 Holy Spirit encompasses intellectual capacity, emotional sensibility, and volitional willpower. Moreover, the Holy Spirit bestows empowerment upon God's faithful by means of various dynamic functions. These include the roles of educator, witness-bearer, guide, communicator, illuminator, advocate, commander, intercessor, envoy, summoner, consoler, and active agent in divine work. 6 Through these complex expressions, the Holy Spirit not only demonstrates personhood but also actively engages with and empowers the believers in their journey of faith. The Trinity and the Early Church Our initial point of consideration should be the historical context of the doctrine. It is important to note that the doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly outlined in the Bible, which is true for many theological concepts. This fundamental yet crucial observation indicates that delving into the period beyond the New Testament era is imperative in order to grasp the roots and development of trinitarian doctrine. 7 According to Matthew Bates, In the theodramatic approach to interpreting scripture, we are presented with glimpses into the interplay and dynamic between the divine persons of God, as perceived by the earliest Christian scholars and readers of the sacred texts. When we carefully weave together these distinct images, they merge to create a greater enlightenment, offering us a comprehensive view of the inner workings of the divine essence. This method allows us to appreciate the rich mystery of divine interactions that are woven throughout the scriptures, painting a vivid portrait of the trinitarian doctrine within. 8 6 Towns, Theology for today , 266 7 Samuel M. Powell. Teacher's Guide to Understanding the Trinity , (Kansas City: Beacon Hill, 2011), ProQuest Ebook Central , http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=3379457. Created from liberty on 2023-10-11 00:16:29. 8 Matthew W. Bates, The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament . (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015), eBook.

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