What is the origin of Trinitarian theology?

Answer 1

There is no mention of the Trinity in The Bible. In fact, Marks' Gospel has Jesus deny being God, saying (10:18): "Why call me good. There is none good but God." This is quite inconsistent with later Christian belief in the Holy Trinity.

Some point out that a biblical passage known as the "Johannine Comma" (1 John 5:7) refers indirectly to the concept of the Trinity, but this verse was not in the earliest Greek manuscripts, first appearing in a Latin copy in the fifth century. So rather than providing biblical support for the Trinity, the Johannine Comma simply confirms that the concept had been accepted as doctrine by the fifth century.

By the third century, Church Fathers were debating the nature of the relationship between Jesus and God, with some influential leaders saying that they (and the Holy Spirit) were as one, while other, equally influential leaders were opposed. The concept that Jesus and God were of one substance was proposed by Bishop Alexander at the Council of Nicaea, against strong opposition. This became the formal foundation for the Holy Trinity, although it was almost abandoned over the ensuing decades. Emperor Theodosius, at the end of the fourth century finally decreed that the matter was settled, and that Jesus was of one substance with God.

Answer 2

A:Trinitarian theology is concerned with belief in the Holy Trinity, consisting of three persons in one God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The concept of Holy Trinity arose in the third century, with Tertullian its earliest known proponent. It became increasingly popular and was adopted by the Council of Nicea in the fourth century, although not without fierce debate, which continued through most of the fourth century. In 381, Emperor Theodosius declared belief in the Holy Trinity essential for all Roman citizens, and any other view henceforth became heresy.

The Holy Trinity is never actually mentioned in the Bible. 1 John 5:7, known widely as the 'Johannine Comma', does refer indirectly to the concept of the Trinity and is used in support of Trinitarianism, but was never in the early Greek manuscripts. It appeared in the Latin translation of the fifth century, after the Trinity doctrine had been accepted by the Council of Nicaea. It says, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

For believers in the Holy Trinity, Acts of the Apostles contains a puzzling reference. Acts 10:38 says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power ..." In the modern Trinitarian view, this implies one person who is God anointing another person who is God with another person who is the same God. Of course, the Luke/Acts Christology only held that Jesus was the Son of God from the time of his conception, but not divine.

Answer 3

I believe at least part of the answer lies in understanding a central theme from the Old Testament. Around 600 BC, the temple - where God's presence was manifested - was destroyed. When the temple was later rebuilt, the Biblical record does not provide any evidence that the presence of God returned to the rebuilt temple. However, some prophets (e.g. Micah) promise that God's presence will indeed return. The main point: The Jews were living in constant anticipation of God returning to dwell with His people.

Now enter Jesus. To make a long story ridiculously short, a case can be made that Jesus undertook a number of symbol-laden actions, and made a number of statements, that together effectively declared that God has indeed returned to His people in the person of the man Jesus. This sets Jesus and God in such tight relationship that one can see how this might have contributed to the concept of the Trinity.

Note: I am by no means an expert on this and the above represents my opinion, although it has been informed by the writings of scholar NT Wright (and I hope I am not misrepresenting him).
The Holy Trinity is described as one God in three parts: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (or the Holy Ghost.)

Christians are often accused of being polytheists because of a misunderstanding in this concept. The three parts are distinct and separate, but they all are equally God.

The Father is God, but is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit.

The Son is God, but is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God, but is not the Father nor the Son.
The Bible. The concept is found throughout scripture. John 15:26 and John 16:27-28 are just two passages that support the trinity concept especially when looking at the original Greek.

Answer 4

The doctrine of the Trinity can be summed up as someone believing in one God existing as three distinct but equal persons. The term does not appear anywhere in the Scripture. It was first used by Tertullian near the end of the 2nd century and made 'more clear' in the 4th and 5th century - so it was the desired goal.



However, no theologian has given explanations of the Trinity doctrine so as it becomes clear for the average person to grasp. Many have written quite the opposite as A.W. Tozer, in his work 'The Knowledge of the Holy, states that the Trinity is an "incomprehensible mystery" and that attempts to understand it "must remain forever futile." Later in his book, he admits that churches, "without pretending to understand," have nevertheless continued to teach this doctrine (1961, pp.17-18). There are many more quotes siding with this opinion. And throughout the Bible we are informed that God desires we know Him and His truths. So He would never tell us an 'incomprehensible mystery.'

1 Timothy 2:3-4New King James Version (NKJV)3 For this isgood and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



As many believe the Bible to be our only reliable source of divine revelation, this Trinity subject is not taught. And no matter how hard or long some people try, they cannot prove or explain something from the Bible that is not biblical. The 'majestic plural' name for God in Genesis' 'Let Us' (Elohim in Hebrew) is defined by allowing the Bible to (see below) - as currently only two divine players with the Father Supreme:



John 1:1-3New International Version (NIV) The Word Became Flesh1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Answer 5

According to the New Bible Dictionary: "The term 'Trinity' is not itself found in the Bible. It was first used by Tertullian at the close of the 2nd century, but received wide currency [common use in intellectual discussion] and formal elucidation [clarification] only in the 4th and 5 centuries" (1996, "Trinity").

It further explains that "the formal doctrine of the Trinity was the result of several inadequate attempts to explain who and what the Christian God is...To deal with these problems the Church Fathers met in [A.D.] 325 at the Council of Nicaea to set out an orthodox biblical definition concerning the divine identity." However, it would not be until 381 A.D. at the Council of Constantinople that the divinity of the Spirit was affirmed (ibid.).

This is a manmade concept and not found anywhere in the Bible. So many have made surprising admissions about the Trinity - "an absolute mystery," "mysterious in its origin and its content," "impossible for Christians actually to understand," " unintelligible," "misunderstood," "presents strange paradoxes" and "widely disputed." One would have to question then why/how a doctrine on which billions of people base their faith and salvation is accepted. The Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that "God is not the author of confusion" yet this doctrine of men is total confusion.

Answer 6

According to the New Bible Dictionary: "The term 'Trinity' is not itself found in the Bible. It was first used by Tertullian at the close of the 2nd century, but received wide currency [common use in intellectual discussion] and formal elucidation [clarification] only in the 4th and 5 centuries" (1996, "Trinity").

It further explains that "the formal doctrine of the Trinity was the result of several inadequate attempts to explain who and what the Christian God is...To deal with these problems the Church Fathers met in [A.D.] 325 at the Council of Nicaea to set out an orthodox biblical definition concerning the divine identity." However, it would not be until 381 A.D. at the Council of Constantinople that the divinity of the Spirit was affirmed (ibid.).

This is a manmade concept and not found anywhere in the Bible. So many have made surprising admissions about the Trinity - "an absolute mystery," "mysterious in its origin and its content," "impossible for Christians actually to understand," " unintelligible," "misunderstood," "presents strange paradoxes" and "widely disputed." One would have to question then why/how a doctrine on which billions of people base their faith and salvation is accepted. The Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that "God is not the author of confusion" yet this doctrine of men is total confusion.

Answer 7

The idea of the Trinity came from God - He started breaking it to us in the first couple verses of Genesis, and it is all throughout the Bible, and, of course, the Church from which we got the Bible.