Taken from AnsweringIslamblog: The following is an excerpt from Richard P. C. Hanson’s book The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God, where he discusses the confusion that existed within the first four centuries of the church in respect to the terms that were employed in expressing the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,Continue reading “Hypostasis and Ousia in the Trinitarian Controversies”
Tag Archives: god
What’s Monotheism?
Table of Contents Two Key Concepts Construct Trinitarian Monotheism: Monarchia and Undivided Substance Trinitarian monotheism is fundamentally built upon two essential ideas: Monarchia and Undivided Substance. Monarchia In Greek, the term polytheia refers to polytheism, a concept well known in antiquity and found in the writings of authors such as Philo. However, the word monotheia,Continue reading “What’s Monotheism?”
“God” = Energy
Excerpts taken from Beau Branson’s dissertation Gregory of Nyssa argues that the word God (Theos) primarily expresses an activity rather than simply an identity. He compares it to words like “king” or “president”—titles that imply a role or function rather than just a state of being. Similarly, being God is about engaging in divine activity,Continue reading ““God” = Energy”
“God” = Substance
Table of Contents Is the Trinity the One God? The scriptural use of the term “One God” has traditionally referred specifically to the Father. When speaking of God as a personal entity, it is the Father who is identified as that one God. However, because the Father is intrinsically united to and dependent upon HisContinue reading ““God” = Substance”
“God” = Monarchia
Table of Contents Monarchia in Trinitarian Theology The concept of Monarchia—from Latin monarchia (“monarchy”), which itself is derived from the Ancient Greek μοναρχίᾱ meaning “only source”—is foundational in Christian theology, particularly when discussing the inner life of the Trinity. The Greek word is composed of two parts: μόνος (monos) meaning “one/alone/only,” and ἀρχός (archos) meaningContinue reading ““God” = Monarchia”