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Definition of the Trinity
By: Doctor
Robert Preus |
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Perhaps the most complete and precise definition of the Trinity was given by
Quenstedt, and since all our subsequent discussion depends on a full
understanding of exactly what the orthodox Lutherans meant by the term, we
quote him in full. He says, 'The divine essence which is one and
therefore absolutely single is also Three Persons: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit-Persons who are distinct from each other, each according to an
incommunicable personal characteristic. And so the Father , Son, and
Holy Spirit are
(1) truly such Persons,
(2) distinct Persons from each other, and
(3) divine Persons who are in their essence the one true God in whom are
'allos, kai allos,' one Person and another Person, not 'allo kai allo,' one
thing and another thing.
"We must distinguish between the term 'God' and the term 'possessing
divinity.' I can say correctly 'there are Three who possess divinity,'
but I cannot say that there are three Gods. This is because 'God' is
understood substantively, and 'possessing divinity' is understood
predicatively. I can also say correctly: one who possesses
divinity begets another who possesses divinity. But I cannot say:
God begets another God. Also I do not say: there are three omnipotent Ones.
But I say: there are Three who possess omnipotence. Or I say:
the Three are one omnipotent One. This is in accordance with the
Athanasian Creed which says there is one deity, one omnipotence, one
eternity, one infinity, etc. in the Three Persons.
"God is not divided into three persons, but the Three Persons, distinct
from each other, participate in the one essence which is unique,
indivisible, but also infinite and therefore communicable to the several
Persons.
"We say that the one essence is in the Three Persons, not as a whole
consists of parts (for each Person possesses the whole essence), not as a
genus consists of species (for the Persons are not species, but individuals)
nor as a species consists of individuals (for the essence itself is one in
number and cannot be divided into many essences), but the total essence is
in each individual person in a unique manner which we can neither conceive
with our mind nor express with words."
The Theology of POST-REFORMATION LUTHERANISM, Volume II, God and His
Creation, Robert D. Preus, pages 123-124
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March 25 , 2003 |