Geisler, Norman

Systematic Theology II

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY II
WEEK 4, SESSION 1
CHAPTERS 12 & 13
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 God’s Unity
Definition of God’s Unity:
God is one Being, in contrast to many beings. There is one
and only one God (monotheism) as opposed to many
gods (polytheism).
There are three related words that should be distinguished:
1. Unity—There are not two or more gods’
2. Simplicity—There are not two or more parts in God.
3. Triunity—There are three persons in the one God.
(Geisler, p. 268)
 Biblical Basis for God’s Unity

Gen. 1:1
Deut. 6:4
Ex. 20:3
Isa. 44:6; 45:18
Mark 12:29
1 Cor. 8:4
Eph. 4:6
1 Tim. 2:5
 God’s Triunity

God is not only a unity, He is a triunity;

that is, there is not only one God
(monotheism), but there are three
persons in that one God. This is the
orthodox teaching of the Trinity.
(Geisler, p. 278)
 What Trinity is Not

Trinity does not mean that there are three gods

(tritheism), it does not mean that God as three
modes of one and the same being (modalism).
Tritheism denies the absolute simplicity of
God, and modalism denies the plurality of the
persons of God. The former claims there are
three beings in the Godhead, and the later
affirms there are not three persons in God.
 What Trinity Is

Trinity means that God is a triunity; He is

plurality within unity. God has a pluraity of
persons and a unity of essence; God is three
persons in one nature. There is only on
“What” (essence) in God, but there are three
“Whos” (persons) in that one What. God has
three “I’s” in His one “It”—there are three
Subjects in one Object.
(Gielser, p. 279)
 God’s Trinity

Definition of God’s Trinity:

The doctrine of the Trinity is based on two basic

biblical teachings:
1) There is one and only one God.
2)There are three distinct persons who are God: The
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
 Personhood

In addition to declaring God to be one in

nature or essence, the Scriptures affirm that
there are three distinct persons who are God.
All are called God, and all have the essential
characteristics of a person.
(Geisler, p. 279)
 Personhood

Personhood is traditionally understood as

one who has intellect, feelings, and will. All
three of these characteristics are attributed
to all three members of the Trinity in
Scripture. Essentially, personhood refers to
an “I” a “who,” or a subject. Each I in the
Trinity possesses the power to think, feel,
and choose.
(Geisler, p. 279)
Biblical Support for Teaching the Trinity

Please look at the biblical support

offered by Geisler, pp. 279-290.

Also, know the funcitonal order in the

Trinity, pp. 290-292.
Poor Illustrations of the Trinity

Know why the following are poor illustrations of the

Trinity:
Three States of Water
Three Links in Chain
Human, Body, Soul, and Spirit
One Actor Playing Three Roles
One Family Member with Three Roles (Father, Son,
Husband)
 Better Illustrations of the Trinity

Please be familiar with the better illustrations of the

Trinity (Geisler, 294)
A Triangle
One to the Third Power
Love is Trifold
Mind, Ideas, and Words
Heresies Regarding God and Christ

Know the difference between these heresies (Geisler,

p. 295-298):
•Tritheism •Apollinarianism
•Modalism •Subordinationism
•Arianism •Monarchianism
•Docetism •Adoptionism
•Nestorianism •Binitarianism
•Monophysitism
•Patripassionism
•Monotholitism
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 God’s Holiness

The definition of God’s Holiness:

Theologically, God’s holiness means that He is totally and

utterly set apart from all creation and evil. His holiness is
associated with His jealousy, His exaltation, His
righteousness, His almightiness, His absolute uniqueness,
His moral purity, and His being vexed by evil. His
holiness is both a metaphysical and a moral attribute.
(Geisler, p. 314)
Biblical Basis for God’s Holiness

Be aware of the biblical basis for God’s

holiness as demonstrated by Geisler
(pp. 314-315).
 God’s Righteousness

Definition of God’s righteousness (Geisler, p. 323):

God’s righteousness (or justice) is a moral attribute; as

such, it is intrisic to God (and extrinsic to creatures).

Literally, the word “righteous” means “to be just” or

“right.” Theologically, it refers to the intrinsic
characteristic of God wherein He is absolutely just or
right and the ultimate standard of justice and rightness.
Biblical Basis for God’s Righteousness

Be aware of the biblical basis for God’s

holiness as demonstrated by Geisler
(pp. 323-324).