Christian Philosophy and Applied EthicsBrockwell

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If I loose my memory am I the same person?

RECAPTranscendent –Immanent –Personal –Impersonal -

God in the world

God outside the world

God relating to people

God as an impersonal power

Monotheistic – One GodPolytheistic – Many Gods

Trinity – The Matrix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIG8eHEqBA

The Trinity

Objectives

• explore what

Christians believe

about the nature of

God• explain Christian

beliefs about the

Trinity

We think this picture is…

We can see… It made us think about…

We’re not sure about…Our best ideas about

this are…

Our deepest thoughts about it are…

We think this picture is… We can see…

It made us think about…

We’re not sure about…

Our best ideas about this are…

Our deepest thoughts about it are…

The Trinity:• Christians suggest that God can be understood in

three different ways, rather like the way water can take three different forms.

• This does not mean that Christians believe there is more than one God, but that there are three different aspects of God.

1. God the Father: God in Heaven2. God the Son: God in the form of Jesus3. God the Holy Spirit: God at work in the world

Rublev

Any others?

Jesus

SpiritFather

God

IS

IS

IS

IS NOT

IS NOT

IS NOT

• Think of a C-chord. The C, E, and G notes are all distinct notes, but joined together as one chord the sound is richer and more dynamic than had the notes been played individually. The chords are all equally important in producing the rich sound, and the sound is lacking and thin if one of the notes is left out.

Gabby – where are you…

Overview of The Trinity

• Four pieces of work in your books

Father

Son

Holy Spirit

What are the roles of each of the parts of the Trinity, according to Christians? Also add a Bible reference.

God = the Father

He is transcendent (outside the world ) and impersonal (an impersonal power). Above everything, He is the Creator who is behind the universe.

Jesus – the son

He is immanent (God in the world) and personal, God with us. He came to earth and lived as a person. He is the Redeemer (Saviour) of humanity. 

The Holy Spirit(Greek: Paraclete )

Immanent and impersonal - God around us. Described as the comforter, inspiring and helping people.

“the breath of God” (ruah) “The Self” (lebab)

“the mysterious Love of God” 

No mention of the Trinity in the Bible

• Jesus Christ He is the saviour, “the son of God,” and “the first-born of all creation.” (John 1: 34)

• As a created being , he is not part of the Trinity. “The Father is greater then I am,” said Jesus. (John 14: 28)

• Jesus lived in heaven before coming to earth, and after his sacrificial (crucifixion) death and resurrection, he returned to heaven. “No one comes to the Father except through [Him].” (John 14: 6)

Arius debate…council of Nicaea AC 325 – opposed the idea of The Trinity (Jehova Witness)

• Emperor Constantine• The deity of Christ was the main purpose of the council. • Arius endorsed the following doctrines about The Son or The

Word (Jesus): that the Jesus (Logos) and the Father were not of the same essence (part of the same).

• The members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal. The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated, and all three are eternal with no beginning…

• No mention of the Trinity in the Bible• Introduced The Nicene Creed

Task: copy the Nicene Creed onto your books.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God...of one being with the Father. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, Giver of life….

The Nicene Creed I believe in one Godthe Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, JesusChrist, 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 Being with the Father;through him all things were made.For us and for our salvationhe came down from heaven,was incarnate of the Holy Spiritand the Virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucifiedunder Pontius Pilate; he suffereddeath and was buried.

On the third day he rose againin accordance with theScriptures; he ascended intoHeaven and is seated at the rightHand of the Father.He will come again in glory tojudge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the HolySpirit, the Lord,and the giver oflife, who proceeds from theFather and the Son, who with theFather and the Son is worshipedand glorified, who has spokenthrough the prophets.We believe in the one holycatholic (Christian) and apostolicchurch. We acknowledge oneBaptism for the forgiveness ofsins.We look for the resurrection ofthe dead, and the life of theworld to come. Amen.

• The Trinity is not just a way of looking at how God works.

• God is and always has been three distinct (different) persons.

• No person of the Trinity ever acts independently (apart from) of the others

• The three persons comprise one God.

• Each person of the Trinity is fully God; no person of the Trinity is more God or less God than any other person.

• Each person of the Trinity has the same attributes as which  belong to God.

• Each member of the Trinity has a distinctive primary role (own) (or work). 1. The Father originates (creates), chooses, and calls us

2. The Son reveals the Father and redeems (saves) us by means of His own death on the cross

3.  The Holy Spirit witnesses to Christ, awakens our dead souls, gives us new life, and delivers us to heaven ; God around us.

• But every member of the Trinity is involved whenever any one member does something.

• The golden rule is this: Whenever one member of the Trinity is doing something, then

all members are involved in doing it

Plenary• Write down 3 things you have learnt• 2 things you are unsure about• 1 question you would like to ask

• What do Christians mean by The Trinity?

• ‘There is no way of knowing what God is like.’ Discuss this statement…

Review your work!!!

What you could say…

• It’s difficult to know God• Language used to describe Him• Cannot prove that He exists• Could discuss His characteristics• Inconsistencies in how we understand God• He is beyond our understanding• What does the Bible say God is like• The Trinity