By Kim Sheasley
Most Christians embrace the trinity. The Latin word “trinitas” means three in one or the number three. Many sects of Christianity believe that the Bible gives examples of the trinity’s actuality, even though it is not specifically mentioned. Tertullian (c.155-230) was the first person to use the word “Trinity” to describe God as 3 in 1. The Athanasian Creed is a traditional Christian concept of the Trinity.
So… Is the trinity a cover-up for a polytheistic faith, or is Christianity actually a monotheistic faith?
Mormons are thought of as not accepting the trinity, but Mormons recognize each of the three parts of the trinity. In the Article of Faith, a Mormon Scripture, it explains that Mormons “believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” They believe in God, the Son (Christ), and the Holy Ghost as three separate individual beings or personages, but not as three individual gods or three personages belonging to God. Although Jesus is referred to as Lord, he is their redeemer who saved them from sin and death, and is a prophet of God’s work. They believe that Jesus could heal because of God’s will, not that he was a God. The Non-Trinitarian sect rejects the trinity and disagrees with the idea that there are three distinct beings, which are unified to make up God. They believe in one God, the Father. Jehovah Witnesses and Unitarians also don’t believe that God is part of a trinity.
While there are Christian faiths that don’t agree with the trinity, most Christian faiths believe that the trinity is essential and is prominent in understanding God. Roman Catholics believe in the trinity. They see Jesus as the Son of God, having full divine and human power. It is about following Jesus’ way and word. They see God, Word, and Holy Ghost as one. Eastern Orthodox Christians also follow the ideas of the trinity. Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternal, but that the Father came first, and the other two proceeded after. Most people believe that Protestants churches believe in the trinity, but different Protestant groups have different views of the trinity.
In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:4, the Bible explains that there is only one God alone. This idea of God is transformed later in the New Testament, in Matthew and 2 Colossians, where God is referred with the additions of, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It was the Council of Nicaea where the doctrine of the Church decided Jesus to officially be God. While most churches believe in the trinity, they are monotheistic. The trinity is having three different parts of God come together as God, not 3 different gods. Churches do not pray to three gods, but pray to God with recognition of the trinity.
October 27, 2011 at 6:21 pm, Robert said:
Thanks for putting this together. Nice and succinct.