Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 6 (The trinity).
My summary
Today Hodge finishes his discussion of the trinity.
Firstly he examines in detail the Nicene doctrine of the trinity, namely the:
(i) subordination of the Son and the Spirit;
(ii) eternal generation of the Son;
(iii) eternal sonship of the Son;
(iv) relation of the Spirit to the Father and the Son.
Secondly Hodge rejects philosophical statements about the trinity, particularly commonly suggested illustrations.
What grabbed me
I loved the quote from Luther about his rejection of thinking that probes too deeply into the trinity: 'The Reformers themselves were little inclined to enter into these speculations. They were specially repugnant to such a mind as Luther's. He insisted on taking the Scriptural facts as they were, without any attempt at explanation. He says : "We should, like the little children, stammer out what the Scriptures teach: that Christ is truly God, that the Holy Ghost is truly God, and yet that there are not three Gods, or three Beings, as there are three Men, three Angels, three Suns, or three Windows. No, God is not thus divided in his essence ; but there is one only divine Being or substance. Therefore, although there are three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, yet the Being is not divided or distinguished ; since there is but one God in one single, undivided, divine substance."'
Let's affirm what Scripture affirms, even if we cannot comprehend it.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 7 (The divinity of Christ) by reading up to the heading '2. General characteristics of the New Testament teaching concerning Christ'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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