Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XVIII - 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 '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).

My summary

Shedd ploughs on teaching us about the trinity.

Firstly Shedd is careful to define some words, including

(i) trinity;

(ii) substance;

(iii) essence.

Then he moves on to look at what is meant by persons.  Once again, Shedd defines his terms and spends time refuting error, including an analogy of human persons and the teachings of Sabellianism.

What grabbed me

I loved the quote that Shedd shared from Conybeare demonstrating that there is no logical contradiction in the trinity: 'The clue to the right construction of the doctrine of the Trinity, lies in the accurate distinction and definition of Essence and Person. The doctrine is logically consistent, because it affirms that God is one in another sense than he is three; and three in another sense than he is one. If it affirmed unity in the same respect that it affirms trinality, the doctrine would be self-contradictory. "To assert," says Conybeare (On Miracles), "that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three distinct infinite Beings, and yet but one Being, is an express contradiction. To assert that they are three distinct Beings, of which two are inferior, and yet each is God, is either to use the term God equivocally in this case, or else is an express contradiction. But to assert, that there is but one divine nature or essence,' that this undivided essence is common to three persons; that by person when applied to God we do not mean the same as when applied to man, but only somewhat analogous to it; that we have no adequate idea of what is meant by the word person when applied to God, and use it only because distinct personal attributes and actions are ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in Scripture, is no contradiction. We do not assert [without qualification, and abstractly] that one is three, and three are one; but only that what are three in one respect may be one only in another. We do not assert that three beings are one being; that three persons are one person; or that three intelligent beings are one intelligent being (as the word person signifies when applied to men); but only, that in the same undivided nature, there are three differences analogous to personal differences amongst men; and though we cannot precisely determine what those differences are, we have no more reason to conclude them impossible, than a blind man hath to conclude the impossibility of colors because he cannot see them."'

Amen!

Next week's reading

Continue Chapter 4 Trinity in unity by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The external characteristics, notae externae, of the three persons, are transitive acts, opera ad extra.' (page 304 in my edition).

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