Doctrine of Trinity - Research Paper Example

 Doctrine of Trinity Introduction The doctrine of Trinity has been regarded as the predominant canon of Christian theology. It has deep roots inside the history1. The evolution of this Christian doctrine could be traced back to the first century into the teaching of some extra-biblical writers. However, Latin theologian Tertullian clearly expressed the concept in the early third century and explained that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are “one is essence not in Person”. Later in the fourth century, the doctrine was officially verified by the First Council of Nicaea that adopted the Nicene Creed that states that “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father"2. The doctrine speaks about the idea of triune god having coequal powers, same substance and essence. The advocates of trinity doctrine quote Gospel of John to support their views but overall, bible disapproves the conception proposed in the doctrine of trinity3. Synopsis of Trinity Doctrine As the word trinity explains itself, the doctrine demonstrates the three fold divine nature. The doctrine basically stresses upon the unity of three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one Godhead. It implies that God is one but exists as three persons and one substance and these three persons have their own nature or essence. Doctrine of trinity is regarded as integral part of the later Christian doctrine but it is a surprising fact that it has not been explained explicitly in the New Testament. The theologians often argue about the doctrine’s credibility that the doctrine of trinity is not formally defined and discussed in the New Testament4. The concept of trinity is found in the Gospel of John that is a latest and theologically developed New Testament book. The doctrine has been developed using the biblical language that is used in different passages of New Testament. The doctrine teaches that there is one true God however, within the nature of that solitary God; simultaneously there are three eternal persons that have equal attributes and characteristics. According to this doctrine, God is not a family but it acts like a committee. The basic idea of triune god was founded several years before the emergence of Christianity. The ancient religious believe often emphasize over the existence of god in three person. There are little differences found in the beliefs proposes by the early ancient religions but it was a common conception of ancient theology that God is one supreme power consisting of three essences or person5. It is a fact that the conception of three coequal persons within the Godhead exists in many religions. The Pagan religions from the Babylon time also had the concept of trinity of gods. For instance, in Babylon, there exist the concept of three gods; Nimrod, Semiraman and Tammuz that was represented through an equilateral triangle. This triangle now acts for symbolic presenter of modern three in one believers6. Similarly, the concept of three persons within one supreme god is present in the Greek triad that regards Zaus, Athena and Apollo as three essences of one god. The largest pagan temple at Bellbek also represents the trinity of Jupiter, Mercury and Venus that was regarded as the holy Babylonian trinity. In Egypt, Osiris, Isis and Horus were regarded as three gods; the Israeli paganism deems Kether, Hokhmah and Binah as three gods whereas according to the Plato’s philosophy there is one Unknown father, Nous/Logos and world soul. These examples indicate that the roots of the trinity doctrine are embedded deep inside the Platonic philosophy and its source is also discovered more in relation with Plato’s beliefs rather Christianity7. The historians explain that the conception of trinity was not actually divulged by the Christian theologians. The trinity concept was adopted by the people thousand years before the Christ birth and even during the early three years, there were not evidences found that Christianity taught about the trinity of god. Due to this reason, the trinity doctrine was not formally documented till the fourth century. The evolution of the trinity doctrine and its connection with Christianity has been explained by the historians that in the beginning of the fourth century many of the pagans were converted to Christianity and they brought many of their beliefs and practices to the Christianity. In this way, the concept of triune god was also induced in to Christianity by these pagans. It implies that originally the three in one god was not the Christ conception but it was brought by the pagans8. The doctrine explains the relationship between Son and Father using the term “homoouios”. It implies that Son and Father are of same substance. Furthermore, the doctrine also regards the holy spirit of same substance and essence as of father and son. In sum, the doctrine of trinity proposes the concept of three persons in one substance9. Though the theologians widely believe that doctrine of trinity does not have the biblical authentication but the supporters of trinity doctrine quote a passage from the Gospel of John. For instance, the trinity advocates refer to these statements “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30); “. . . He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 17:22); “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God” (John 1"1); “. . . He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. . . ” (John 14:9) “. . . Holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ” (John 17:11) Biblical Views regarding Doctrine of Trinity The doctrine of trinity contradicts with certain important theologies like Binitarianisim that believes in one deity two persons, Unitarianism that teaches about one deity one person and the Oneness that views Godhead as three separate beings that are one in purpose and not one in essence. The doctrine has also been discussed from various perspectives and different schools of thoughts use to express different views regarding this doctrine. It is often argued that the doctrine of trinity is not based on the foundations of Christian ideas but it deviates from the Early Christian teachings regarding the nature of the God. It is also regarded that the doctrine of trinity was actually taken from the pre-Christian beliefs taught by Plato10. The New Testament also does not verify the doctrine of Trinity and it is also believed that the Apostles of Jesus didn’t ever hear about the trinity doctrine. Based upon these facts, it is commonly viewed that trinity doctrine is not a biblically verified doctrine, thus, the doctrine has been widely deemed as contrary to the biblical preaching and theologians widely believe that the doctrine of trinity has not a scriptural doctrine. Andrew Norton writes in the book “A statement of reasons” that “The Trinity is not a doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, but a fiction of the school of the later Platonists11. The doctrine is regarded non-biblical because the concept of three in one God is neither presented nor supported in the bible. The word trinity is no where uses in Bible to express God; either to refer three in one with one essence or substance. It is also argued that the language of the doctrine is not actually the language of doctrine and there are very little similarities in the doctrine language with those of some of the passages of bible. Instead, the doctrine has been written in the ancient church language that used to be more close to the classical Greek philosophy rather Bible12. Bible basically talks about the concept of one god and not three. As it is said in the Old Testament, "I, even I, am the Lord; and besides me there is no saviour" (Isa. 43:11). "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord . . ." (Psalms 3:8. "For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour . . ."Isaiah 43:3). These quotes clearly indicate that the concept of triune god is not supported and verified in Bible. Similarly, there are certain other verses in Bible that deny the concept of trinity God and disapprove the impression that God is three persons having equivalent powers. Following verses of Gospel of John and Bible disapprove trinity of God. "Why callest me good? There is none good but one, that is God" (Matthew 19:17) ". . . For my Father is greater than I. . ." (John 14:28) "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7:16) Reflecting Personal Views regarding Doctrine of Trinity The research work conducted around the topic allows having understanding of basic concepts of the trinity doctrine. At the same, the study also provides an insightful analysis of different scholarly and biblical views regarding the trinity doctrine. It is revealed that the doctrine of trinity is one of the most controversial theological issues. The basic idea presented in the trinity doctrine clearly contradicts with the teachings of bible due to which the doctrine mostly receives refutation from most of the theologians, historians and people having belief upon biblical preaching13. Likewise, in my personal view there is little acceptance for this doctrine. The trinity conception does not fit within the personal worldview of religion and spiritual ideology. One of the basic reasons behind the denial of the doctrine of trinity is lack of biblical support found in favour of the trinity doctrine. It is revealed that the basic theme of the trinity doctrine explains the presence of three coequal essence or person within the supreme God but bible did not confirms any such concept. The doctrine of trinity is often deemed as one of the vital doctrine of Christianity however, the detailed study of the history and origin of this doctrine explains that the doctrine has not originally evolved from Christianity but it has roots within the ancient philosophy and theology14. The doctrine dejects the family concept associated with God that is another point of disagreement. God is actually a divine family according to biblical views but the trinity doctrine opposes this concept and suggests that God is a committee of three having equivalent powers and not a family. Due to this reason also, the trinity doctrine seems a confusing and controversial doctrine. The most important evidence that show the link of trinity with the ancient theology is its developmental time line. It is found that the basic concept of triune god was adopted by the people of different religions centuries before the evolution of Christianity. The language of doctrine of trinity is not exactly same with that of bible but it is more like the language used in the Greek philosophical books. The Christian books like bible and new testaments also do not support the triune concept of god. Furthermore, there is no clear indication or formal documentation of this doctrine in bible or New Testament15. The entire discussion could be sum up with the conclusion that the doctrine of trinity is a controversial doctrine. It claims to be the fundamental canon of Christianity however, in real its linkage with the Christianity are not proved but it is found that the trinity concept was basically adopted by the Pagan that brought the concept in to the Christianity in the beginning of the fourth century. The doctrine of trinity proposes the existence of three persons within the single Godhead. These three persons are supposed to have same substance, essence and equivalent powers. This concept is not presented in the bible and only the latest version of Gospel of John contains some passages that talk about triune of god. The triune god concept is basically borrowed from the ancient theology and there is no biblical support for this concept in Christianity. Hence, in personal views also, there is no openness to accept or adopt the doctrine of trinity. References Cloud, David. 2002. Way of Life Encyclopaedia of the Bible and Christianity, Computer Version 4.0 Novak, David. 1999. The Mind of Maimonides, First Things, 90 (February): 27-33. Walvoord, John F. 1974. Matthew Thy Kingdom Come, Chicago: Moody Press, 20 Showers, Renald E. 2002. Israel My Glory, God is Triune, Friends of Israel, 45 (January): 37 Harris, Laird, Gleason L. Archer, Bruce K Waltke. 1980. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press, p30 Placher, William C. 1999. Readings in the History of Christian Theology: From Its Beginnings to the Eve of the Reformation, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press Read More