Early Efforts at Early Efforts at Understanding the Trinity Understanding the Trinity

Contribution of the Early Contribution of the Early Church FathersChurch Fathers

IrenaeusIrenaeus

The starting point: the economic trinity. This The starting point: the economic trinity. This means the divine activity of the triune God in means the divine activity of the triune God in creation and salvation history. creation and salvation history.

Reflection on God then must begin with this - it Reflection on God then must begin with this - it must start from the biblical data, the data of must start from the biblical data, the data of God's self-revelation in history.God's self-revelation in history.

One has to start from the actual faith and the One has to start from the actual faith and the evidence of the bible. Without this starting point, evidence of the bible. Without this starting point, speculation about the trinity can become "flights speculation about the trinity can become "flights of fancy."of fancy."

Economic Trinity - the triune God in the Economic Trinity - the triune God in the economy of salvationeconomy of salvation

Immanent Trinity - inner life of the triune Immanent Trinity - inner life of the triune God in himself..God in himself..

The trinitarian doctrine stresses on the salvific The trinitarian doctrine stresses on the salvific dimension of the Trinity. This is what ultimately dimension of the Trinity. This is what ultimately matters, since God's revelation as Father, Son matters, since God's revelation as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is made through God's saving and Holy Spirit is made through God's saving action.action.

Irenaeus stresses the pre-existence of the Son Irenaeus stresses the pre-existence of the Son and his true communion with the Father. He and his true communion with the Father. He emphasizes the intimate relationship of the Son emphasizes the intimate relationship of the Son and the Holy Spirit with the Father and with one and the Holy Spirit with the Father and with one another by describing them as the Father's two another by describing them as the Father's two hands.hands.

OrigenOrigen

the Trinity as an eternal dynamism of the Trinity as an eternal dynamism of communication: it is not a reality complete in communication: it is not a reality complete in itself but as a process in everlasting itself but as a process in everlasting realization.realization.

God is one but not alone. As light gives God is one but not alone. As light gives brightness, so the Father originates the Son brightness, so the Father originates the Son (Logos) and Father and Logos originate the (Logos) and Father and Logos originate the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.

Origen was the first to use the word Origen was the first to use the word hypostasishypostasis (individual) to characterize the (individual) to characterize the three divine persons in God..three divine persons in God..

The distinction between the Persons is The distinction between the Persons is everlasting, thereby avoiding modalism.everlasting, thereby avoiding modalism.

But his understanding of the dynamism of the But his understanding of the dynamism of the Trinity produces a strong tendency to Trinity produces a strong tendency to subordinationism: the Father lets the Son come subordinationism: the Father lets the Son come out of himself, and then the Holy Spirit. They out of himself, and then the Holy Spirit. They are not three origins, but rather the Son and are not three origins, but rather the Son and Spirit are derivations of one origin of all divinity Spirit are derivations of one origin of all divinity and action, the Father. and action, the Father.

This view of the Trinity as an play of This view of the Trinity as an play of relationships and communications based on relationships and communications based on three distinct Persons became a fruitful source three distinct Persons became a fruitful source for later development of trinitarian thought.for later development of trinitarian thought.

TertullianTertullian

He has created a language of trinitarian He has created a language of trinitarian orthodoxy that would avoid the pitfalls of orthodoxy that would avoid the pitfalls of both modalism and subordinationism. both modalism and subordinationism.

He coined the term He coined the term trinitastrinitas and the formula and the formula which came to express true faith in the which came to express true faith in the triune God: "one substance, three triune God: "one substance, three persons"persons"

Tertullian's central thesis: "the trinity Tertullian's central thesis: "the trinity derives from unity itself." God is not just derives from unity itself." God is not just single, but one. single, but one.

God is an entity not closed in on himself, God is an entity not closed in on himself, but a reality in process, a self-distribution but a reality in process, a self-distribution constituting second and third persons who constituting second and third persons who form part of God's substance and action. form part of God's substance and action. These two persons are distinct but not These two persons are distinct but not divided, different but not separate.divided, different but not separate.

The process is eternal, since the Father is always The process is eternal, since the Father is always generating the Son out of himself; the same Father generating the Son out of himself; the same Father through the Son also eternally generates the Holy through the Son also eternally generates the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

SUBSTANCE is what embodies the unity of the divine SUBSTANCE is what embodies the unity of the divine Three; PERSON denotes what distinguishes them. Three; PERSON denotes what distinguishes them.

In God there exists the unity of equal substance in In God there exists the unity of equal substance in Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the diversity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the diversity of Persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which derives Persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which derives from this substance. from this substance.

This substance, by eternally communicating itself, This substance, by eternally communicating itself, maintains communion and unity with its maintains communion and unity with its communications. In other words, the unity of God is communications. In other words, the unity of God is always a unity of Persons; the oneness of God results always a unity of Persons; the oneness of God results from the Three.from the Three.

Thus, Tertullian laid down the basic lines Thus, Tertullian laid down the basic lines of Trinitarian understanding. However, he of Trinitarian understanding. However, he did not work out the relationship between did not work out the relationship between the three persons.the three persons.

Cappadocian FathersCappadocian Fathers

The three great theologians of Cappadocia in The three great theologians of Cappadocia in Asia minor: St. Basil the Great, his brother Asia minor: St. Basil the Great, his brother Gregory of Nyssa and their friend Gregory of Gregory of Nyssa and their friend Gregory of Nazianzen.Nazianzen.

They developed what was lacking in Tertullian - They developed what was lacking in Tertullian - reflection on the relationship between the three reflection on the relationship between the three divine persons. divine persons.

Their starting point: not the unity of the divine Their starting point: not the unity of the divine nature but the three divine persons as the basic nature but the three divine persons as the basic reality.reality.

The unity that forms the essence of the Persons The unity that forms the essence of the Persons springs from the COMMUNION and relationship springs from the COMMUNION and relationship between them. [the trinitarian between them. [the trinitarian koinoniakoinonia or or communion - perichoretic relationship]. communion - perichoretic relationship].

Faith in the Trinity affirms the objective existence of Faith in the Trinity affirms the objective existence of three Ones, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but does three Ones, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but does not believe them separate and unrelated. Faith in not believe them separate and unrelated. Faith in the Trinity sees the Persons eternally related in an the Trinity sees the Persons eternally related in an infinite communion. infinite communion.

So we can say: the three persons form one So we can say: the three persons form one communion. Perichoresis (circumincession - the communion. Perichoresis (circumincession - the interpenetration of the Persons) is not added to the interpenetration of the Persons) is not added to the constitution of the divine persons; it is at their origin, constitution of the divine persons; it is at their origin, simultaneous with them and constitutive of them.]simultaneous with them and constitutive of them.]

To avoid Tritheism we need to consider the peculiarity To avoid Tritheism we need to consider the peculiarity of each Person, which is always defined in relation to of each Person, which is always defined in relation to the others, beginning with the Father, source and the others, beginning with the Father, source and origin of all divinity.origin of all divinity.

The peculiarity of the Father -to be ungenerated, and The peculiarity of the Father -to be ungenerated, and to form the source of all divinityto form the source of all divinity

The peculiarity of the Son - to be eternally generated The peculiarity of the Son - to be eternally generated by the Father, receiving all his substantial reality by the Father, receiving all his substantial reality from the Fatherfrom the Father

The peculiarity of the Spirit - to proceed from the The peculiarity of the Spirit - to proceed from the Father through the Son Father through the Son

The communion between the three is full, The communion between the three is full, since the Father does everything by the since the Father does everything by the Word in the Holy Spirit. The Trinity can Word in the Holy Spirit. The Trinity can only be conceived of as an interplay of only be conceived of as an interplay of mutual relations of truth and love.mutual relations of truth and love.

Their great contribution is to clarify the Their great contribution is to clarify the teaching about the Holy Spirit being truly teaching about the Holy Spirit being truly God, one of the divine persons.God, one of the divine persons.

AugustineAugustine

For him, God is not the Father (as for the For him, God is not the Father (as for the majority of Eastern theologians) but the Trinity - majority of Eastern theologians) but the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is the only true God - God is the Trinity.only true God - God is the Trinity.

The questions that Augustine tried to answer:The questions that Augustine tried to answer:How are we to believe in one God and a Trinity How are we to believe in one God and a Trinity of Persons? Does proclaiming the oneness of of Persons? Does proclaiming the oneness of God not preclude any personal differentiation? God not preclude any personal differentiation? And does not maintaining personal And does not maintaining personal differentiation do away with God's oneness? differentiation do away with God's oneness?

To resolve the problem, Augustine adopts the To resolve the problem, Augustine adopts the category of RELATIONSHIP used by the Greek category of RELATIONSHIP used by the Greek Fathers. Unity belongs to the divine substance Fathers. Unity belongs to the divine substance (essence or nature) which coexists in each divine (essence or nature) which coexists in each divine persons making the three consubstantial.persons making the three consubstantial.

The Father is eternally Father through having a The Father is eternally Father through having a SonSon

The Son is eternally Son through being the Son of The Son is eternally Son through being the Son of the Fatherthe Father

and the Holy Spirit is Holy Spirit from everlasting and the Holy Spirit is Holy Spirit from everlasting through being breathed out by the Father and by through being breathed out by the Father and by the Son. None of them has a beginning or an end.the Son. None of them has a beginning or an end.

To elucidate unity in trinity and trinity in To elucidate unity in trinity and trinity in unity, Augustine produced two analogies unity, Augustine produced two analogies with human beings who are created in the with human beings who are created in the image and likeness of God. He speaks of image and likeness of God. He speaks of MIND, KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE or MIND, KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE or MEMORY, INTELLIGENCE AND WILL.MEMORY, INTELLIGENCE AND WILL.

Each of these terms contain the others: the Each of these terms contain the others: the mind knows and loves, knowledge mind knows and loves, knowledge supposes mind and love, love implies mind supposes mind and love, love implies mind and knowledge. The three form the human and knowledge. The three form the human soul. These analogies give us a pale soul. These analogies give us a pale reflection of the unity and distinction that reflection of the unity and distinction that exists in the Trinity.exists in the Trinity.

For Augustine, the three Persons are three For Augustine, the three Persons are three respective subjects: that is, they are respective subjects: that is, they are concerned with one another and related to concerned with one another and related to one another. Being means being-for-itself. one another. Being means being-for-itself. Person means being in relation to others Person means being in relation to others or with others.or with others.

According to Augustine, you will see the According to Augustine, you will see the Trinity when you see love.Trinity when you see love.

What to call what Differentiates in What to call what Differentiates in God: PGod: Prosoponrosopon

(from the Greek - mask). It is what (from the Greek - mask). It is what differentiates God. The Greeks used the term differentiates God. The Greeks used the term to describe what in God is three. Prosopon to describe what in God is three. Prosopon designates an specific individual reality. (it designates an specific individual reality. (it can be applied to a horse or a plant). can be applied to a horse or a plant).

Applied to the Trinity it means there are three Applied to the Trinity it means there are three in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are different, specific, objective. What three are different, specific, objective. What each each prosoponprosopon is like, this term does not tell is like, this term does not tell us.us.

Tertullian translated Tertullian translated prosoponprosopon into the Latin into the Latin personapersona, which designated the specific , which designated the specific human human individual ( a horse or a plant cannot be called individual ( a horse or a plant cannot be called a a personapersona). ).

So when Tertullian said that there are three So when Tertullian said that there are three Persons in God, he meant to say that in God Persons in God, he meant to say that in God there are three specific, distinct, objective there are three specific, distinct, objective realities - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; realities - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; therefore, three objective individualities. therefore, three objective individualities.

So we can say that in God there are three So we can say that in God there are three prosopaprosopa or or personaepersonae, that is specific , that is specific individualities, which the New Testament calls individualities, which the New Testament calls Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What to call what unites in God:What to call what unites in God:HypostasisHypostasis

expresses the unity of God, it is what unites the three expresses the unity of God, it is what unites the three persons. persons. HypostasisHypostasis - from the greek word - "what - from the greek word - "what lies under" . It is used as a synonym for lies under" . It is used as a synonym for ousiaousia, , essence. Essence is that by which a thing is what it essence. Essence is that by which a thing is what it is. So in God there is one is. So in God there is one hypostasishypostasis, one , one ousiaousia or or essence, and three Persons.essence, and three Persons.

hypostasishypostasis was translated into Latin as was translated into Latin as substantiasubstantia. . So substance means the same as essense, what So substance means the same as essense, what underlies, is constant, stable. So the Latins said that underlies, is constant, stable. So the Latins said that in God there are one in God there are one substantiasubstantia, and three , and three personaepersonae, , one substance and three persons.one substance and three persons.

The Greeks found themselves obliged to abandon The Greeks found themselves obliged to abandon the term the term prosoponprosopon since the word had come to be since the word had come to be used by the modalists to spread their heresy. For used by the modalists to spread their heresy. For the sake of clarity, they replaced the sake of clarity, they replaced prosoponprosopon with with hypostasishypostasis. (thus, three hypostaseis and one ousia). (thus, three hypostaseis and one ousia)

But surely But surely hypostasishypostasis was reserved for expressing was reserved for expressing the unity of God, so how could it now be used to the unity of God, so how could it now be used to designate what differentiates God? The explanation designate what differentiates God? The explanation is that is that hypostasishypostasis is not just an abstract expression is not just an abstract expression meaning "substance" but it could also express an meaning "substance" but it could also express an "objective subsisten reality". "objective subsisten reality".

Confusion and Clarification of Confusion and Clarification of TermsTerms

Confusion arose when Latins translated the Confusion arose when Latins translated the new sense in which new sense in which hypostasis hypostasis used when used when applied to the three Persons. Instead of applied to the three Persons. Instead of translated as persona, they translated translated as persona, they translated literally as literally as substantiasubstantia (substance, nature, (substance, nature, essence). And this was clearly a heresy essence). And this was clearly a heresy implying that God had three nature or implying that God had three nature or substance (tri-theism). Thus, they went back substance (tri-theism). Thus, they went back to using the term to using the term prosopon.prosopon.

This confusion began in Antioch at the end of the This confusion began in Antioch at the end of the fourth century. Two bishops had a dispute and fourth century. Two bishops had a dispute and created two factions.created two factions.

The first followed Bishop Melecius in conserving The first followed Bishop Melecius in conserving the term “three hypostases” for three persons the term “three hypostases” for three persons and was supported by the Cappadocian Fathers and was supported by the Cappadocian Fathers (this faction risked being understood as (this faction risked being understood as supporting tri-theism or subordinationism).supporting tri-theism or subordinationism).

The other faction followed Bishop Paulinus, The other faction followed Bishop Paulinus, supported by Pope Damasus and St. Athanasius supported by Pope Damasus and St. Athanasius of Alexandria and held the term “three prosopa” of Alexandria and held the term “three prosopa” (this ran the risk of being understood as (this ran the risk of being understood as modalism.modalism.

Agreement was finally achieved by St. Gregory of Agreement was finally achieved by St. Gregory of Nazianzen at the Council of Constantinople in 381 Nazianzen at the Council of Constantinople in 381 by establishing the equivalence between Greek by establishing the equivalence between Greek hypostasishypostasis and the Latin and the Latin personapersona..

The bishops at the council sent a profession of faith The bishops at the council sent a profession of faith to Pope Damasus: to Pope Damasus: we believe in the one divinity we believe in the one divinity and power and substance (ousia) of the Father and and power and substance (ousia) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the equal dignity and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the equal dignity and the co-eternal rule in three perfect hypostases the co-eternal rule in three perfect hypostases (hypostaseis), that is three perfect persons (hypostaseis), that is three perfect persons (prosopa).”(prosopa).” This combines the two classic technical This combines the two classic technical terms: one essence or substance (terms: one essence or substance (ousia)ousia) and three and three persons (persons (hypostaseis hypostaseis or or prosopaprosopa).).

Are Hypostasis and Person Real Are Hypostasis and Person Real Equivalents?Equivalents?

The Greek and Latin theologians were trying to The Greek and Latin theologians were trying to express the same faith in different words. But the express the same faith in different words. But the words they used have different connotations and do words they used have different connotations and do not always suggest the same reality in Greek as in not always suggest the same reality in Greek as in Latin.Latin.

The real intention: God co-exists in three distinct The real intention: God co-exists in three distinct subsistents, the distinction between which is not subsistents, the distinction between which is not something merely verbal or metaphorical, but something merely verbal or metaphorical, but something real and definite.something real and definite.

Formulation using Christological dogma as paradigm: Formulation using Christological dogma as paradigm: what in Christ is one (divine person of the Son) is what in Christ is one (divine person of the Son) is multiple in the Trinity (three persons), what is Christ is multiple in the Trinity (three persons), what is Christ is multiple (two natures, divine and human) is one in the multiple (two natures, divine and human) is one in the Trinity (one ousia, substance or nature).Trinity (one ousia, substance or nature).

The words used by the Greeks and Latins do have The words used by the Greeks and Latins do have different connotations.different connotations.

The Greeks use The Greeks use hypostasishypostasis to express what to express what differentiates in God. differentiates in God.

In its normal use it designates just something In its normal use it designates just something individual and distinct from another (it could be individual and distinct from another (it could be applied to an animal or a plant as well a to a human applied to an animal or a plant as well a to a human being, its emphasis being on objectivity, not being, its emphasis being on objectivity, not subjectivity). subjectivity).

Applied to the Trinity: there are three objective Applied to the Trinity: there are three objective realities co-existing and distinct from one another – realities co-existing and distinct from one another – Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Holy Trinity.Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Holy Trinity.

(while use in reference to God it may take on a (while use in reference to God it may take on a charge of subjectivity, this is not implied by the charge of subjectivity, this is not implied by the word itself).word itself).

The Latin word The Latin word personapersona has a dimension has a dimension of subjectivity: it impies a conscious of subjectivity: it impies a conscious subject, not merely an objective and subject, not merely an objective and definite reality.definite reality.

So when applied to the Trinity, So when applied to the Trinity, personapersona connotes the idea of three bearers of the connotes the idea of three bearers of the divine attributes in equal measure – the divine attributes in equal measure – the Three are equally living, life-giving, Three are equally living, life-giving, creators of all, saving ,etc. Thus, the word creators of all, saving ,etc. Thus, the word person evokes three divine Beings.person evokes three divine Beings.

Are Are hypostasis hypostasis and and personperson real equivalent? real equivalent?Yes, in the sense that both Greeks and Yes, in the sense that both Greeks and

Latins sought to express that God means Latins sought to express that God means three “realities” and therefore God is Trinity.three “realities” and therefore God is Trinity.

Yes, in the sense that Yes, in the sense that prosoponprosopon include a include a personalist preference.personalist preference.

But not in the sense that But not in the sense that hypostasishypostasis is used is used without dimension of subjectivity implicit in without dimension of subjectivity implicit in the Latin the Latin personapersona. Hypostasis affirms the . Hypostasis affirms the objectivity of the three divine persons and objectivity of the three divine persons and persona their subjectivity.persona their subjectivity.

Although the connotations are different, Although the connotations are different, they complement each other: in the sense they complement each other: in the sense that what is objective when we speak of that what is objective when we speak of God is God’s nature (ousia or substantia) God is God’s nature (ousia or substantia) and what is subjective is the three persons and what is subjective is the three persons (personae or hypostaseis).(personae or hypostaseis).

The derivation of the Latin understanding The derivation of the Latin understanding of person has gone through a process of of person has gone through a process of deepening in Western theology.deepening in Western theology.

Next meeting: Jan. 9, 2004Next meeting: Jan. 9, 2004

Boff, Boff, Trinity & Trinity & Society, “Dogmatic Society, “Dogmatic Understanding of the Trinity”, pp. 65-77Understanding of the Trinity”, pp. 65-77