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The first defense of the doctrine of the Trinity was by Tertullian, who was born around 150–160 AD, explicitly "defined" the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and defended his theology against Praxeas, [79] although he noted that the majority of the believers in his day found issue with his doctrine.
The social model of the trinity differs from the classical model by viewing the persons of the trinity as three centers of consciousness and will, the distinctions between the persons not being defined primarily by eternal relations of origin and by viewing the trinity as a society or a community. [11] [12]
Theophilus of Antioch is the earliest Church father documented to have used the word "Trinity" to refer to God.. Debate exists as to whether the earliest Church Fathers in Christian history believed in the doctrine of the Trinity – the Christian doctrine that God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons sharing one homoousion (essence).
Tertullian was the first theologian to write in Latin, and so has been called "the father of Latin Christianity", [5] [6] as well as "the founder of Western theology". [7] He is perhaps most famous for being the first writer in Latin known to use the term trinity (Latin: trinitas). [8]
The doctrine of the Trinity, considered the core of Christian theology by Trinitarians, is the result of continuous exploration by the church of the biblical data, thrashed out in debate and treatises, eventually formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 in a way they believe is consistent with the biblical witness, and further refined in later councils and writings. [1]
As a compound word, it refers primarily to "going around" or "encompassing", conveying the idea of "two sides of the same coin". [6] Suggested connections with Greek words for dancing ("choreia", spelled with the short letter omicron not the long omega) are not grounded in Greek etymology or early Christian use, but are modern in origin.
Athanasius of Alexandria was traditionally thought to be the author of the Athanasian Creed, and gives his name to its common title.. The Athanasian Creed—also called the Quicunque Vult (or Quicumque Vult), which is both its Latin name and its opening words, meaning "Whosoever wishes"—is a Christian statement of belief focused on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology.
So, the Trinity is composed of three distinct 'persons' or 'hypostases' which are in integral relation with one another. The Cappadocian Fathers outlined the traditional set of doctrines describing the relational character of the Trinity: the Father is the Father by virtue of begetting the Son; likewise the Son is the Son precisely by being ...