The Doctrine of the Trinity

• Perichoresis- Greek for 'rotation'. Used in Trinitarian theology to describe the rotation between the 3 persons of God
• redemption- part of the language of the doctrine of the atonement: Jesus's suffering and death redeems humanity from sin
• Atonement- The doctrine that christ's obedience, suffering and crucifixion effected a reconciliation between humanity and God following Original Sin.
• Immanent- when applied to God, means 'existing within the space-time universe'
• The trinity brings together doctrinal truths: sin, atonement and redemption
• Original sin made the atonement necessary:

  • God sent the son as atonement, to redeem humans from sin (Galatians 4:4-5)
  • The son is fully human and fully God, able to make the atonement through his crucifixion and resurrection (1 Peter 3:18-19)
  • The Holy Spirit gives new birth in Jesus (Titus 3:5) so humans have the hope of eternal life
• Allows humans to have a personal relationship with God:

  • God = transcendent and unknowable
  • The Father = personal creator
  • The Son = immanent
  • Holy Spirit = human spirit
• Model of personhood:

  • God is love
  • humans are made in God's image
  • Human relationships are modelled on Trinitarian love
• Doctrine- a set of beliefs
• The doctrine of the trinity is believed by the majority of christians
• The hebrew word for God used in the Old Testament is "Elohim" which is plural
• Perichoesis- mutual dwelling
• Maltmann develops the idea social trinity existing in a community of self-giving and receiving love
• Maltmann says the trinity is a model for human behaviour- giving love, accepting difference