Theologies - Clover

E. Triunity (Trinity) of God
1. Biblical support for the Triunity
a. A Biblical understanding of the Triunity must include
2 affirmations :
(1) That God exists as one (singularity, unity).
(2) That God exists as three distinct, eternal, simultaneous
Persons (personalities, distinctions).
(3) Summary : "tri" (three) + "unity" (oneness) = "triunity"
of God. (perhaps better than the commonly used term Trinity)
b. Definitions :
(1) Trinity : "a reference to the doctrine that God is one and yet
exists eternally in three persons" (Erickson, Dictionary, 171).
(2) Trinity (or Tri-unity) : "means that the one divine nature is
a unity of three persons and that God is revealed as three
distinct persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit"
(Grenz, Pocket Dictionary, 116).
c. Implications of the Triunity in the Old Testament :
(1) Plurality implied :
(a) Elohim (pl. form of "El" = God)
Deuteronomy 6:4
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God (Elohim), the Lord is one."
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and
the earth."
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