Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Where Did the Trinity Come From?
Aug 8, 2023
Discover the intriguing origins of the Trinity in Christianity, exploring its historical significance and the debates that shaped its doctrine. Delve into the roles of early theologians and the pivotal decisions made at the Council of Nicaea. Uncover the intersection of archaeology and biblical studies as experts shed light on sacred sites linked to Jesus. Learn about the roots of the Catholic Mass and the tensions between Protestant and Catholic views. Finally, unravel the complexities behind the Gospel origins and the evolution of textual traditions.
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What is the Trinity?
- The doctrine of the Trinity states that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons but one God of the same substance and equal in power.
- This complex belief is not explicitly found in the Bible but developed later as an attempt to reconcile monotheism with the divinity of Jesus and the Spirit.
Trinity Not Explicit in Bible
- No Bible passage explicitly states that God the Father, Son, and Spirit are equal in substance and only one God.
- The key biblical text supporting the Trinity, 1 John 5:7-8, is a later manuscript addition not originally in the New Testament.
Trinity Emerged to Resolve Theological Problem
- The Trinity arose as a theological solution to reconcile the biblical claim of one God with the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
- This challenge led Christians to devise the doctrine that God is one essence manifested as three persons.