2.1.3
Monotheism
Monotheism and the Trinity
Monotheism and the Trinity
Christians believe there is only one God (monotheism) but that he has revealed himself as three persons (the Trinity).
The Trinity
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.
Does the Trinity contradict monotheism?
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.
The Trinity is a mystery
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.
Bible verse
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].
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God
2.1.2The Problem of Evil
2.1.3Monotheism
2.1.4Creation
2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation
2.1.6The Trinity and Creation
2.1.7Afterlife
2.1.8Heaven and Hell
2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs
2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation
2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human
2.2.3The Crucifixion
2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal
2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension
2.2.6Sin
2.2.7Original Sin
2.2.8Punishment
2.2.9The Means of Salvation
2.2.10Achieving Salvation
2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation
2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation
2.2.13Theories of Salvation
2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Jump to other topics
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God
2.1.2The Problem of Evil
2.1.3Monotheism
2.1.4Creation
2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation
2.1.6The Trinity and Creation
2.1.7Afterlife
2.1.8Heaven and Hell
2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs
2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation
2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human
2.2.3The Crucifixion
2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal
2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension
2.2.6Sin
2.2.7Original Sin
2.2.8Punishment
2.2.9The Means of Salvation
2.2.10Achieving Salvation
2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation
2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation
2.2.13Theories of Salvation
2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
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