Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XVII - Chapter 4 Trinity in unity continued

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 4 Trinity in unity by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The technical term "trinity" is not found in Scripture; and neither is the term "unity". (page 267 in my edition).

My summary

Today we continue our chapter on the unity of the Trinity.

Firstly, this week, Shedd gives two rational proofs of the Divine unity:

(i) the perfection of his being;

(ii) the unity of the created universe.

Then Shedd shows us trinitarian Biblical texts that mention all three persons of the Godhead.

This is followed by passages in the Old Testament that teach the doctrine too, albeit not as explicitly.

What grabbed me

I appreciated Shedd's declaration that the trinity is a doctrine from special revelation: 'The doctrine of the Trinity is one of revelation, not of natural religion, and therefore the first work to be done respecting it, is to deduce it from the language of Scripture. It is not directly formulated, as an affirmative proposition, in any single text; if 1 John 5:7 is spurious. But it is indirectly formulated in some texts, and taught part by part in many others. To collect, collate, and combine these, is to construct the dogma biblically.'

Thanks be to God for revealing himself to us!

Next week's reading

Continue Chapter 4 Trinity in unity by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'There are two classes of characteristics by which the trinitarian Persons are discriminated. 1. Internal, or notae internae; 2. External, or notae externae.' (page 285 in my edition).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.