THE TRINITY THEOLOGY MATTERS - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

THE TRINITY

THEOLOGY MATTERSSlide2

Objectives

After completing this segment, you will be able to:

1. Articulate the importance of the tri-unity of God.

2. Describe the basic terminology that relates to the topic under investigation. 3. Compare and contrast the various opinions on the topic of tri-unity of God.4. Explain what the various sections of the Bible say about the tri-unity of God.5. Correlate the gathered biblical information to create scriptural conclusions. Also, you will use the formulated conclusions to assess the various perspectives and to identify the correct view. 6. Utilize the tool of apologetics to defend the biblical view of the tri-unity of God. 7. Apply the acquired truths with the aim of glorifying God.Slide3

I. important Questions to consider

 Slide4

II. Basic Terminology

1.

Economic Trinity

- The study of the activity and redemptive outreach of the Triune God of Scripture to entities outside of Himself, especially the human populace.

2.

Hypostatic

Union - (ὑπόστασις in Greek = subtance or subsistence) The claim that two natures or substances, one divine and one human, are present in the one person of Jesus. In other words, Jesus is both fully God and fully man. Hypostatic Union3. Immanent Trinity – This phrase is used to refer to the study of the eternal and internal relationships between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Slide5

Hypostatic Union Slide6

II. Basic Terminology

4.

Law of Non-Contradiction

– Something cannot be (x) and non-(x) at the same time and in the same way.

5

.

Person – A living and relational entity that is or potentially is self-conscious. There are various persons within the Trinity, within the angelic realm, and within the human populace. 6. Substance - The essential qualities that make something what it is.Slide7

III. Various Proposals

Traditional View

Throughout history, orthodox Christians have believed that God exists as one essence in three

distinct

persons

.

Most individuals in this camp affirm both that this understanding of the Trinity is biblical and that is does not lead to a contradictory affirmation. Slide8

III. Various Proposals

Adoptionism

This

perspective was heralded by

Theodotus

of Byzantium in A.D. 190.

Adoptionism

teaches that Jesus was born as a mere man; because of his virtuous character, Jesus was eventually adopted as the "Son of God" by the descent of the Spirit on him. Some adoptionists believe that the bond between God the Father and Jesus was only moral; Jesus earned perfect fellowship with God, not a place within the Godhead. Many modern New Age thinkers utilize the story of Jesus as an example on how every human being can become one with god, which is an impersonal deified oneness that encompasses everything. Movie Clip  Slide9

III. Various Proposals

Arianism

This view is based off of the teachings of Arius, a deacon in the city of Alexandria.

Arius

believed that God

created

the

Son (the term is figurative). As a created being, Christ is not eternal or equal with God. The Holy Spirit is seen as an attribute of God (like love), not as an actual person. The Jehovah Witness Church (Kingdom Hall) is a modern example of a group who embraces a form of Arianism. They reject the eternal pre-existence of Jesus.Sabellianism Sebellius was a theologian in the third century. Sabellianism, or modalism, believes that the names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely titles for the three various phases or faces that God, as one person, has revealed Himself. This camp denies that more than one person exists within the Godhead. The following modern groups embrace a form of Sabellianism: The United Pentecostal Church, the Pentecostal Assemblies in the World, and the Apostolic Church of Pentecost.

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Game Time

________________

Trinity - The study of the activity and redemptive outreach of the Triune God of Scripture to entities outside of Himself, especially the human populace.

________________- This

is a technical term that is used to describe the

amalgamation

of Christ's humanity and divinity in one person or individual existence.

________________

– A living and relational entity that is or potentially is self-conscious. ________________ - The essential qualities that make something what it is._________________ Trinity – This phrase is used to refer to the study of the eternal and internal relationships between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. _________________ – Something cannot be (x) and non-(x) at the same time and in the same way. Slide11

Game Time

________________

teaches that Jesus was born as a mere man; because of his virtuous character, Jesus was eventually adopted as the "Son of God" by the descent of the Spirit on

him

________________ teaches

that God created the Son (the term is figurative

) in eternity past.

As a created being, Christ is not eternal or equal with God.

Throughout history, orthodox Christians have believed that God exists as one essence in three ________________.Sabellianism, or _______________, believes that the names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely titles for the three various phases or faces that God, as one person, has revealed Himself.Slide12

IV. Biblical Survey

THE AFFIRMATION OF ONE GOD

Deuteronomy 6:4:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Remember

the Commandments

Love the Lord with Everything

Shema (hear): 4-9Monotheism is clearly taught Isaiah. 45:5: I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is none besides me. 1-8 = A prophecy of the Persian King CyrusGod is sovereign over every domainRejection of localized deities and polytheismYahweh alone is God 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.Pray for all types of peopleGod’s desire is for persons to come to HimMonotheism is upheld in the Old and the New TestamentJesus is the perfect mediator because He fully represents God and manSlide13

Research Baal and AsherahSlide14

IV. Biblical Survey

THE PLURALITY OF THREE PERSONS

Genesis 1:26:

God said, “Let Us make man in our image.”

Creation

Account

US does not refer to angelic hosts

US

= reference to plurality within GodMatthew 28:19: Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.11 Disciples met Jesus on mountain Many of them worship JesusJesus gives the Great Commission Jesus does not reject worshipHe commissions persons to be baptized with a Trinitarian utterance John 1:1, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … the Word became flesh. IncarnationWitness of John the BaptistJohn 1 … - affirms monotheism- distinguishes the Word from God the Father - claims that the Word is God- affirms the hypostatic unionSlide15

IV. Biblical Survey

THE PLURALITY OF THREE PERSONS

John 8:58:

Before Abraham was born, I am.

Argument between Jesus and certain Jews

Demonic

or Divine

Desire to stone Jesus

Jesus applies the sacred name of God to HimselfSelf-Awareness of Deity Acts 5:3-4: But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God.The judgment against Ananias and Sapphira

The terms Holy Spirit and God are used in a synonymous way in this passage. Lie to the Holy Spirit

Not lied unto men, but unto GodSlide16

IV. Biblical Survey

THE PLURALITY OF THREE PERSONS

Acts 16:6:

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

The

Holy Spirit …

Kept Paul from going to the province of Asia

Guided Him to preach the gospel in Macedonia

Holy Spirit is attributed with a volition/will in this passage. He is not an impersonal force; rather, the Holy Spirit is personal and an active source of guidance in the believer’s life. Romans 15:30: I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalfTravel PlansPrayer

RequestsAs Paul gives his prayer requests, he references the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. Slide17

IV. Biblical Survey

THE ACTIVITY OF THE TRINITY

Ephesians 1:3-14

Salutation (1:1-2)

From

1:3-3:21, Paul expresses thanksgiving to God through the vessels of worship and prayer.

1

st Utterance = A celebration of the economic activity of the TrinityThe Book of Ephesians presents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as distinct persons. It also describes their unique roles within redemptive history. Father – ElectionPredestinationAdoptionPlanSon –Redemption

ForgivenessHopeHoly Spirit –

SealedEquipped Guarantee of Inheritance Slide18

V

.

Systematic

conclusionS

1.

Every section of the Bible instructs God’s people to

avoid polytheism

(the belief in many gods) and idolatry (the worship of false/unreal gods); rather, the community of faith is called to

worship the one true God.   2. The God of the Scriptures is not an impersonal force; instead, God exists tri-personally (not 3 parts … 3 persons).  3. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are presented in the Bible as eternal and distinct persons under or within the essence of God; thus, the church should avoid the heresies of Sabellianism, Adoptionism,

and Arianism.   

4. The three personalities within the Godhead work together in perfect harmony; having said this, they do exhibit different roles

. For example, the Son is the only person within the Godhead to “become flesh.”

5.

The

economic activity

of the Trinity consumes most of the Trinitarian literature in the Bible; the primarily concern of the biblical authors is to

invite

image bearers

into fellowship

with a God who is intrinsically or immanently

relational and externally missional. Slide19

Christian Trinity and Mormonism

https

://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAKH_Y9Y2zsSlide20

Holy, Holy, Holy

Hillsong UniteSlide21

vi. apologetics

IS THE TRINITY A CONTRADICTION OR A MYSTERY?

Definitions

Law of non-contradiction:

S

omething cannot be x and non-x at the same time in the

same way

.

Mystery: Anything that is kept secret or that cannot be fully explained.

Necessary Contradictions

Mystery

There exists three gods and one god (or not three gods)

God is one person and three persons (or not one person)

One God exists in three personSlide22

viI. Practical Applications

1. God

is

a relational God, and the fellowship within the Trinity is absolutely pure. Therefore, God’s people should avoid isolation and pursue wholesome fellowship with

God and with others

.

John 17:20-21: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

2. Within the being of God there exists holy diversity. God’s people ought to welcome multi-cultural customs and various genres of expressions insofar these things conform to the God’s revelation.

 Old Hymns vs. New SongsSoul Food vs. Hispanic Fiestas 3. Each person within the Trinity is equal in value, yet they perform various roles. Christians ought to encourage each member of the body of Christ to use his or her gifts to the glory of God.Janitor and PastorHusbands and Wives

4. The Triune God is missional; God calls believers to join the mission (Matthew 28)5. The Triune God of Scripture should be adored and worshiped (

Eph 1)Slide23

Triune

Praise

August Burns RedSlide24

https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=md4cLMu9vGk