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The Early Concept of the Trinity: Tracing the Roots

...heologian Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 240 AD) in the Latin form "Trinitas". Tertullian was a prolific writer and is known for his contributions to early Christian theology. One of the passages where he addresses the concept of the Trinity is from his work "Against Praxeas" (Adversus Praxean). In this treatise, Tertullian defends the distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while maintaining the unity of the Godhead. Here is an excerpt from Tertullian's "Against Praxeas": We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this number is made by the pattern of salvation… They are three not in dignity, but in d...

What is Monarchical Trinitarianism?

...the Son. Tertullian speaks to this procession in his work, Against Praxeas, explaining how the Word and Spirit derive their essence from the Father. But still the tree is not severed from the root, nor the river from the fountain, nor the ray from the sun; nor, indeed, is the Word separated from God. … Now the Spirit indeed is third from God and the Son; just as the fruit of the tree is third from the root, or as the stream out of the river is third from the fountain, or as the apex of the ray is third from the sun. Nothing, however, is alien from that original source whence it derives its own properties. In like manner the Trinity, flowing down from the Fa...

The Historic Practice of Abortion and How Ancient Christians Responded

...churches. Tertullian (c. AD 197) speaks of pagans “exposing” their children and how they get taken up by compassionate passers-by if they get found in time. Children were often exposed, Lactantius (c. AD 304) explains, if the parents were “too pious” to strangle their newborn infant! In 361, Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate wrote a letter to the pagan high-priest Arsacius complaining that the Christians were showing up the state by being too kind to everyone with their acts of charity! …why do we not observe that it is their benevolence to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead and the pretended holiness of their lives that have done most...

Unveiling the Trinity: Exploring the Nature of Jesus and the Incarnation

...ians like Tertullian, who coined the term "Trinity," and later scholars, such as Augustine, explored the concept of the Triune God. Psalms 33:6 "The heavens were made by the word of the LORD, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth." This verse highlights the creative power of God's Word, which aligns with the understanding of Christ as the divine Word. Early church fathers, like Irenaeus, played a role in affirming Christ's divinity and His significance in the salvation narrative. Moving forward, in the book of Daniel, we encounter Messianic visions that describe the Son of Man, who is granted authority and a kingdom similar to God's own. This for...

Debunking the Myth: The Council of Nicaea and the Formation of the Biblical Canon

...A myth that never seems to fade away: the idea that the Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD under the authority of Roman Emperor Constantine, played a pivotal role in establishing the Biblical canon. This notion suggests a conspiracy and power play orchestrated by a select group of elite bishops; a narrative popularised by works like Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code. However, a closer examination reveals a lack of historical basis for this claim. The Council of Nicaea and the Canon Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that the Council of Nicaea discussed or established the Canon of Scripture, leading to the creation of the Bible. Early Christian cano...

Evidence of the Trinity in the Hebrew Scriptures

...eresy by Tertullian around 213 AD, and later by the bishop of Rome around 262 AD. A more modern sect of Christians, often called "Oneness Pentecostals", still hold to this heretical doctrine today. Now, to be clear: I do believe in the Trinity and accept that it is the orthodox position to hold. But that doesn't mean I've always fully grasped the concept. This is something Christians have struggled to define for centuries, hence the sometimes confusing and lengthy language of the creeds (see here, here, here and here for example). So after reading this debate online with some Oneness believers, I decided to look more into the Trinity to try and get my head...