The Triune Nature of God: Conversations Regarding the Trinity by a Disciples of Christ Pastor/Theologian

By Robert D. Cornwall

The doctrine of the trinity is probably the most complex and mysterious topic in Christian theology, yet it impacts our understanding of many other doctrines.

Pastor/Theologian Robert D. Cornwall brings his knowledge of church history to the task of examining this doctrine, looking at how it developed and what justifies its presence in Christian theology. He uses the history of his own Disciples of Christ tradition as one of the expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement, which avoids creeds very effectively in examining how we distinguish between the statements and events of scripture and our theological reflections on them.

Can a doctrine not mentioned in scripture be of value? Are creeds necessary or even useful? Cornwall threads a careful course between the value of the creeds, and within them the doctrine of the trinity, in defining our ecumenical relationships and task on the one and, and on the other the danger of having creeds as a test of fellowship and faith. While rooted in his own denomination's traditions, this is very valuable to other denominations and movements as we examine what defines us while at the same time seeking freedom in non-essentials.

This book is especially strong in examining the history of the development of this doctrine and connecting this to our ongoing reflection on scripture and what our tradition and experience provides. This short volume is valuable to all those who seek to understand the trinity not just as an element in a doctrinal system, but as it aids us in thinking about elements of our faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Energion Publications
• Release date: Jun 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781631996993

Robert D. Cornwall

Robert D. Cornwall is a Minister-at-Large for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), theologian, ecumenical and interfaith leader, police chaplain, and author. He has written numerous books and articles, including Called to Bless: Finding Hope by Reclaiming Our Spiritual Roots. He serves as the editor of Sharing the Practice (the journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy).

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Introduction

Traditionally, Christians have spoken of God in trinitarian terms. There is disagreement as to when this understanding of God emerged. The word Trinity is not found in Scripture, but one can find patterns that support a trinitarian vision of God in Scripture. A definitive statement concerning the Trinity emerged out of the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, though the Creed that churches use to confess a trinitarian understanding of God did not reach its final form until the Council of Constantinople met in 381 CE. While traditions confessing their faith using the Nicene Creed have expressed this faith in trinitarian terms, that does not mean everyone has had the same understanding of the Trinity. In fact, adherence to the belief that God is Trinity has ebbed and flowed, especially after the beginning of the Enlightenment. For some at least, this doctrine of the Trinity has been deemed illogical and irrational. To those who struggle with the Trinity, it might be better to affirm the oneness of God and embrace the humanity of Jesus. As for the Holy Spirit, well the Spirit has often been the subject of neglect. The Apostles’ Creed only expresses belief in the Holy Spirit, with no definition of terms. The Nicene Creed does go further, probably due to the influence of the Cappadocian Fathers. While the Nicene Creed gave official definition to a trinitarian understanding of God, using the Greek word homoousious to affirm that while Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons, they share one substance or one essence, not everyone fully embraced this understanding. A number of church leaders of that age preferred other terms, including homoiousious, which speaks of like substance, instead of homoousious. In the end, the majority of those church leaders who formed the homoiousious party affirmed the position espoused by the homoousious party. Thus, they also affirmed the form of the Creed that has come down to us.

Constantinople did not end the debate over the triune nature of God— further discussion would ensue regarding the way in which the Christ was both divine and human, as well as fully understanding the nature of the Holy Spirit—but a foundation was laid upon which those conversations could be undertaken. The majority of the debates that followed would involve clarification of this doctrine, but there would not be any wholesale changes to the doctrine. Thus, from Constantinople forward the church in east and west confessed that God is at once three persons who share one substance or essence. As for the nature of this essence/substance, there might be differing opinions, but the affirmation has held into the twenty-first century.

The debate over the triune nature of God has Christological roots. It is an expression of the church’s felt need to define Jesus’ relationship to God. If Jesus is the Son of God, what does that mean? For Christians who embrace the Nicene Creed, one can confess that the Christ is "the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father; through him all things were made." Whether one completely understands this confession, one can go forth with the assumption that in some fashion Jesus is divine, while affirming monotheism. But, what if a person is not a creedal Christian? How might such a person understand the confession found in Mark 1:1 that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? This a key question that deserves our attention. In what way is Jesus the Son of God? Does this entail some sense of divinity? Or, is Jesus a human being who has been adopted by God the Father as God’s son? In addition, there is the question of the status of the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit a person within the Godhead, or is the Spirit simply a way