2.1.3

Monotheism

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Monotheism and the Trinity

Christians believe there is only one God (monotheism) but that he has revealed himself as three persons (the Trinity).

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The Trinity

  • God is believed to have revealed himself as three persons (the Trinity):
    • God the Father is also often called the Creator.
    • God the Son took human form as Jesus, who is divine and human.
    • God the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles at Pentecost and is believed to be the active presence of God in the world today, in the Church and in individual persons.
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Does the Trinity contradict monotheism?

  • If there were many gods, God could not be all-powerful.
  • In fact, Christians believe that God is three separate persons, but still just one God.
  • For some Christians, belief in the Trinity is confusing because it appears to contradict belief in one God.
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The Trinity is a mystery

  • Some think the Trinity is a mystery that can't be fully understood.
  • Some Christian writers have tried to describe the Trinity by comparing it to something else:
    • St. Patrick said that the Trinity is like a shamrock, which has three clear parts to it but is only one leaf.
    • Others have pointed to the three forms of H2O: ice, water and steam. But this might suggest that God takes different forms at different times, and that is not what Christians believe.
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Bible verse

  • ‘Just as Jesus was coming out of the water he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”’ [Mark 1 : 10-11 NIV].

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2Christianity

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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