Trinity (deity)
The Trinity is a central concept in Christian theology that describes God as one being existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each of these persons is fully recognized as God, coexisting simultaneously, although the term "Trinity" itself does not appear in the Bible. Christians often refer to specific passages, such as Genesis 1:26 and Matthew 28:19, as implicit references to this triune nature.
The idea of divine entities in groups of three is not unique to Christianity; it has been prevalent in various ancient cultures, including those in Mesopotamia, Hinduism, and Egypt, where similar triads represented different aspects of a singular divine authority. For instance, Hinduism features the Trimurthi of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, while ancient Egyptians worshipped Amun, Re, and Ptah as a divine triad.
The formal doctrine of the Trinity was established in the early Christian Church, notably articulated in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD. Despite its importance, there are Christian groups — such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses — that reject the Trinity, viewing it as a divergence from original Christian teachings or an adaptation of earlier pagan beliefs. This ongoing debate reflects the diversity of interpretations about the nature of divinity within Christianity and beyond.
Trinity (deity)
Symbols: triangle
Culture: Christian; Greco-Roman; Indo-European; Egyptian
The Trinity is a concept that defines the nature of the Christian God as one god who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christian doctrine holds, in addition, that each of the three persons is God, and that each person exists simultaneously. The Christian Bible makes no explicit mention of a trinity. However, Christians believe that certain Bible passages reference the concept of a triune (three-part) god without using the word trinity. For example, the Bible describes the Christian god as referring to himself with the plural pronouns us and our. "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air . . ." (Genesis 1:26). Christians also cite as evidence of a triune god the following bible passage: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 3:16–17).
Although the Trinity may be central to the Christian faith, the idea of divine or god-like beings existing in threes predates Christianity. Almost every ancient society believed in some form of trinity. Three-part gods arose in nations across the globe, including Egypt, Sumeria, India, and Europe. In many cultures, a triangle is often used to depict the trinity of gods.
In Mythology
A trinity appears in stories from ancient Sumeria, a Mesopotamian civilization dating back about 4,000 years. The Sumerians believed in Anu, king of the gods; Enlil, god of the earth; and Enki, god of waters and lord of wisdom. The gods of this trinity were equally important beings whose interrelatedness defined their essential nature. Sumerians believed that this triad was central to the creation of humans, making the first man by sacrificing a god, then mixing his body and blood with clay to fashion a mortal in the image of the gods. The Sumerians were eventually conquered first by Assyria, then Babylon, but the trinity of gods representing sky, earth, and water prevailed in the cultures that followed.
A trinity appears in the Hindu scriptures that date back more than 3,000 years. The gods Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer are the Trimurthis, (Trinity of Hinduism). Each of these gods is associated with a goddess, respectively: goddess of speech Saraswathi, goddess of wealth Lakshmi, and mother goddess Parvathi. Hindus believe the three gods are facets of the same supreme god (Brahman), each performing a different role. Although each god is a manifestation of the same supreme being, a Hindu can choose to worship the aspect that best suits a particular quality, energy, or goal. For example, Hindus seeking knowledge, creativity, or spiritual education may choose to worship Brahma. Worshipping Vishnu may be appropriate for those responsible for maintaining home and family or providing stability. Others may turn to Shiva not in anger or destruction, but for help in initiating change or personal transformation.
The ancient Egyptians worshipped a divine trinity that represented different aspects of one god. A hymn to Amun from the fourteenth century BCE describes the Egyptian triad of Amun, Re, and Ptah. "All gods are three: Amun, Re, and Ptah, and there is no second to them. Hidden is his name as Amun, he is Re in face, and his body is Ptah." Egypt’s later years ushered in the belief in another Egyptian trinity. According to myth, Isis, formerly a minor deity, revives Osiris, her brother and husband who was slain by god of chaos Seth. Isis installs Osiris as god of the underworld and magically conceives a son, Horus, who comes to rule Egypt. After Greece conquered Egypt, worship of these gods mingled with Hellenic cultural gods, resulting in the trinity of Isis, Serapis (the Greek equivalent of Osiris), and Horus. Greek myth also includes the trinity of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Writing in the fourth century BCE, the Greek philosopher Aristotle described the importance of the concept of threes: ". . . let us use this number in the worship of the gods; for, as the Pythagoreans say, everything and all things are bounded by three . . . ."
The ancient Etruscans believed in the trinity of Tinia, Uni, and Menerva. When the Etruscans came to Rome, Romans adopted this idea, developing the ancient Roman trinity of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Germanic cultures worshipped the triad of Wodan, Thor, and Fricco. And Celtic pagan flame goddess Brigit is a triune deity with the aspects inspiration, smithcraft, and healing. Brigit is represented by the three-leaf clover.
Origins and Cults
Tertullian, who practiced law in Rome and converted to Christianity in middle age, was the first to refer to the Christian Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as Trinitas (Trinity) in 215. This doctrine was not affirmed by the Church until 325, when it was formally stated in the Nicene Creed and affirmed in 381 in the Athanasian Creed. Trinitarian theology was developed in response to Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ. Arianists believed that recognizing Jesus as the son of God, and his co-equal, was incompatible with the monotheism of Christianity. Conflict among Christians over the nature of God, often violent, was considered settled with the Trinity doctrine’s formal adoption. All other beliefs were deemed heresy.
In modern times, the Trinity is a core Christian belief. However, some Christian groups reject this doctrine. Among these are Mormons, who believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are separate entities; Jehovah’s Witnesses, who believe that Jesus is a separate being inferior to God; and Christian Scientists, who believe that the Trinity is composed of life, truth, and love. Some Christians also reject the Trinity because of its historical roots, believing that the doctrine is an adaption of ancient society’s pagan beliefs, and undermines Christianity.
Bibliography
Bourgeault, Cynthia. The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity. Boston: Shambhala, 2013. Print.
"How Ancient Trinitarian Gods Influenced Adoption of the Trinity." Beyond Today. United Church of God, 22 July 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
Najovits, Simson. Egypt, Trunk of the Tree, Vol. II: The Consequences. New York: Algora, 2004. Print.
Packer, J. I. Concise Theology: A Guide to Historical Christian Beliefs. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1993. Print.
Reeves, Michael. Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2012. Print.
"The Trinity." BBC Religions. BBC, 21 July 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
Weigall, Arthur. The Paganism in Our Christianity. San Diego: Book Tree, 2008. Print.