St. Basil’s On the Holy Spirit is evidently written to refute several arguments that are dangerous to the sound doctrine of the Church mainly on the Trinity. The arguments attempt to diminish the dignity of the Trinity. St. Basil clearly makes this point to his readers by stating that, “I testify to every man who is confessing Christ and denying God, that Christ will profit him nothing…every man that calls upon God but rejects the Son, that his faith is vain; to every man that sets aside the Spirit, that his faith in the Father and the Son will be useless.” (441). By using this framework he continues to refute several arguments in order to show the relation of the Three persons of the Trinity to each other and their true dignity and value. St. Basil’s first task is to refute the heretics who wish to use small and petty words in order to subordinate the Son and/or the Spirit to a lower position of dignity to the Father. While in the grand …show more content…
Basil offers great rebuttals to several objection on many matters as it relates to the Holy Trinity. There are no shortage of objections as well as successful and convincing counterarguments. It is St. Basil’s goal to preserve the faith and salvific work of the Trinity and in order to do so he must combat several arguments that intend to confuse the reader and lead one astray. The three persons of the Trinity are proven to be equal in dignity, will, and power with one another. While their functions may differ, it would be reckless and hazardous assume that they are otherwise different in nature. No terms or trickery, used by his opponents, whether in language or twisted scriptural examples continue to stand as he courageously refutes that the three hypostases are equal with one another and necessary for the doctrine, faith, and salvation of humanity to be complete. If anyone attempts to falsify this truth they are incapable of having a true understanding and relationship with the Trinitarian
St Thomas begins the Summa Centra Gentiles as writes by reaffirming what Aristotle claimed at the beginning of Metaphysics, namely, he that studies the end or purpose of the universe is rightly called a wise man. He is wise because he is studying that which is highest and most noble among the subjects of study: Truth. Truth, Aquinas claims, i...
The medieval theologian Julian of Norwich was a mystic, writer, anchoress and spiritual director for her time. She is gaining in popularity for our time as she provides a spiritual template for contemplative prayer and practice in her compilation of writings found in Revelations of Divine Love. The insightful meditations provide the backdrop and basis for her Trinitarian theology’s embrace of God’s Motherhood found in the Trinity. Her representative approach of the all-encompassing unconditional love of a mother who nurtures, depicts Christ as our Mother ascending to the placement of Second hood within the Trinity while giving voice to the duality of God.
...nity. The Holy Spirit allows human beings to become closer to God, and the relationship between the Father and the Son. After writing about both the Trinity and Salvation, I have learned that they are immensely interconnected. The Trinity allows human beings to find Salvation. All in all, the Trinity is not three separate parts, but one part with three different essences.
... Peter Canisius”432). Which is interesting because these words written by Ignatius are to go against the Protestants but also describe the same actions Ignatius is doing himself. These words describe the false greatness of character upon himself.
Though the people who left their marks on the early church, St Basil the Great's influence was one of the most important. Through his work and teachings, the modern orthodoxy has a broader understanding of heresy. W
This great “Father of the Church,” wrote a handbook on the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love. The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love was written in the year 420. It is a brief handbook on the proper mode of serving God, through faith, hope, and love. It is easy to say what one ought to believe, what to hope for, and what to love. But to defend our doctrines against the slander of those who think differently is a more difficult and detailed task. If one is to have this wisdom, it is not enough just to put an enchiridion in the hand. It is also necessary that a great eagerness be in the heart.
In the fifth discourse, the Son of God is described to further reflect himself about his unique and intimate eternal activity. First the author describes the production of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is said to be the bond between the divine persons. And the Son of God wanted his own person to be the producer. This would be the bond between the human and the divine being. The author describes the Holy Spirit as being a person that proceeds from the Holy Trinity. It is the bond that creates a sense of unity among the divine Persons and that they are perfectly united in the “unity of the Holy Spirit” yet they still are able to maintain their distinct natures (pg 134). The author also mentions two mysteries. The first mystery is described as having a divine person whom we adore, uniting two persons. And the second mystery is described as having a divine person whom we adore by uniting the two natures, one which is divine and the other being human. “He contemplates, adores and imitates the unity of the Holy Spirit, who is the third Person in the order of the Holy Trinity and who, by his nature, is the eternal bond between the two Persons from whom he proceeds.” (pg 135). All together the Son of God is our personal love and sacred unity. He is uniquely expressed and distinctly represented by “the states and qualities of this divine mystery, which is in a perfect relationship with what is ineffable in eternity, as well as being a living portrait of God” (135).
This paper will discuss five different translations of 2 Timothy. The translations include the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which is a literal translation; the New Living Translation (NLT), which is a dynamic translation that attempts to convey more of a thought for a thought and less word for word; the English Standard Version (ESV), an American literal version; the Douay-Rheims American Edition (DRA), which is a Catholic literal translation of the Latin Vulgate.; and the Message, which is a periphrastic translation. These translations are not drastically different, but may have chosen different wording based on preference, how literal the translation is or preconceived perspective or doctrine. Reading multiple translations can give a better understanding of the meaning of the text.
Successively, at the age of twenty-three John abandoned the world and dedicated his life to serving Christ. Shortly afterwards, he joined his friend Basil in the monastic life. Later Basil was elected to the Priesthood. This paper evaluates St. John’s work entitled On the Priesthood a dialog with his friend Basil.
The concept of the Deity of Christ is one of great complexity. Numerous students, scholars, theologians and philosophers have studied Christ and His attributes. One of the most asked questions and sought after answers has been thoroughly dissected and examined to be able to even begin comprehending such a mystery. Millions ask: “How can Jesus Christ, the Son of God be one-hundred percent man, and one-hundred percent God at the same time? Also, how is it even possible that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can also be God Himself?”
When one moves from Jewish Wisdom literature to early Christian writing the figure of Divine Wisdom seems to disappear. Yet a symptomatic reading, which attends to traces and tensions inscribed in the text, can show that a submerged...
The doctrine of the Trinity, as seen in the Christian bible, is primary to the Christian faith. The word “Trinity” does not actually appear in the bible; it is a theological label meant to summarize certain teachings of certain passages of scripture, and is crucial to properly understand what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we relate to Him. It may also raise many difficult questions including what does it mean that God is a Trinity? While it is difficult for us to fully understand everything about the trinity, it is quite possible to answer questions like this one and come to a solid grasp of what it means for God to be three in one.
There are several key historical references that were influential and these references are imperative to understanding the full context of the canonical books and their relevance to the Christian faith. In most instances, the opposition of generally accepted truths is challenged and when the opposed truth is the winner, it emerges more accepted than it was before. This is the case for the canonical books as well. Challenges of opposing faiths are a major part of their emergences as the truth. Therefore, early Christianity experienced opposition from individuals and their following, thusly creating a devote need for clarification and a solidified statement of beliefs for all Christians. This was a part of the events that shaped the canonical books and it also contributed to the clarification and interpretation of what it actually meant to be a Christian and the consensus of what that meant to an individual seeking to serve the one true living God (Brueggeman 1978). In an analysis of the most prolific influences of the canonical books, the Gnostics, the ideals of...
The doctrine of the Holy Spirit begins with examining biblical witness to the work of the Holy Spirit in the history of Israel, as well as the ministry of Jesus, and in the life of the church. During the creation account it was the breath of God that grave life to all creation. The Holy Spirit has been a primate actor sin the beginning of time. While the Spirit was present prior to the ministry of Christ, the New Testament speaks in greater detail of the Spirit because it empowered Jesus. From his conception to the day of Pentecost the Sprit was present and active in the life of Christ and the believers. We see in ...
Turner, William. (March 1, 1907) The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume I, online edition. Retrieved February 2, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01713a.htm