Triune God Flashcards
(111 cards)
What is ‘the Triune God’?
The christian belief that there are 3 ‘persons’ in one God.
Tri = 3
Une = Unity
of God
What does the ‘Holy Trinity’ focus on and who are the 3 persons?
The distinctive qualities of each of the three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
*The Triune God and The Holy Trinity are essentially the same thing.
What are the 5 key beliefs outlined by the Triune God?
1) There is only ONE God.
2) Within the God there are 3 persons.
3) The three persons are all God.
4) The three persons are equal.
5) The Trinity is a mystery (cannot be fully understood) - “the mystery of faith”
What do the terms ‘Triune God’ and ‘Trinity’ show about God?
They show that God is a ‘community of persons’.
What Old Testament quote from Deuteronomy supports the christian belief in one God?
The Shema (jewish prayer) from the book of Deuteronomy.
“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, The Lord is One” - Deuteronomy
Why do Jews not accept that God is 3 persons?
Because they do not follow the teachings of Jesus and therefore accept that “the Lord alone” is just one God made up of one person.
Why is the Baptism of Jesus considered evidence of the Holy Trinity in the Bible?
Because all 3 persons of God are present.
How are all 3 persons of God present at Jesus’ Baptism in Matthew 3?
What New Testament quote from Paul to the Galatians 4 (epistle) talks about the link between the Trinity and us?
God the Father - John the Baptist hears the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”
God the Son - Jesus is the Messiah sent from God as promised.
God the Holy Spirit - a white dove was present
New Testament:
“God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts” - Paul to the Galatians 4
Why is Jesus’ Baptism so important for christians? What does Jesus realise in this moment?
It proves God is Triune.
It is the moment Jesus realises that he is the Son of God - he still calls himself son of Man until his trial.
Why is the act of Creation considered evidence for the Trinity?
All 3 persons of God are present.
How are all 3 persons of God present in the act of creation in Gensis 1?
God the Father - “God created the heavens”
God the Son - God created the world using his ‘Words’ (e.g “Let there be light”). Jesus is the Word.
God the Holy Spirit - “wind” translates to breath, meaning Spirit of God in Hebrew.
Who are the Magisterium?
The Pope and Bishops
What do the Magisterium have the authority to do?
The authority to interpret scripture and tradition.
Where does the Magisterium’s authority come from?
When Jesus left Peter, the leader of his 12 apostle’s, to become the head of the church.
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”
What is the name for the authority that the Magisterium have?
Apostolic authority
Why is the current Pope and his Bishops seen as part of an unbroken direct line that goes back to Peter?
Because of apostolic succession.
How is the special authority passed on to priests?
Ordination of the priesthood - where the special charism (power) is passed on by the ‘laying on of hands’.
Why is the Catholic Church said to be conciliar?
Because the magisterium hold council meetings to discuss and make new teachings.
How are catholics advised to follow the teachings of the Magisterium?
‘Very seriously’
Why are catholics advised to take the teachings of the Magisterium ‘very seriously’?
1) Their authority comes from christ himself (Jesus to Peter)
2) The Magisterium are guided by God the Holy Spirit.
What does infallible mean and how can the Pope use it?
Infallible means without error.
The Pope can declare a doctrine or teaching infallible if he sees fit.
What are the only 2 infallible doctrines centred around?
Mary:
1) Mary as the Immaculate Conception.
2) Mary assumed (was taken) into heaven as body and soul. (She didn’t die because she had no original sin).
What is the definition of ‘eternal’?
Eternal - has always existed (no beginning or end)
What is a Creed? What is the Nicene Creed? Where was the Nicene Creed first devised?
A Creed is a statement of faith.
The Nicene Creed is a statement of catholic beliefs mostly relating to the Trinity.
Council of Nicea:
-325CE in Turkey - Nicence Creed first devised - still partly said at mass today (modified later).