When talking about the Trinity, what does "persons" mean?
score:10
The classic definition of "Person" is that given by Boethius in De persona et duabus naturis: an individual substance of a rational nature).
St. Thomas Aquinas explained the preceding definition in terms that practically constitute a new definition: a substance, complete, subsisting per se, existing apart from others (Summa Theologica, III, Q. xvi, a. 12, ad 2um).
Regarding the persons of the Blessed Trinity, for the constitution of a person it is required that a reality be subsistent and absolutely distinct. The three Divine realities are relations, each identified with the Divine Essence. A finite relation has reality only in so far as it is an accident; it has the reality of inherence. The Divine relations, however, are in the nature not by inherence but by identity. The reality they have, therefore, is not that of an accident, but that of a subsistence. They are one with ipsum esse subsistens (Subsistent Act of Existing Itself).
A much, much more detailed discussion of this topic -- with citations that could give you a few years more reading -- can be found in the Catholic Encyclopedia's entry on "Person."
Upvote:2
The answer is a bit both. The personalities and roles could both explain the persons in the Trinity. But it is important to remember that the three persons are not separated from one another.
God cannot be constituted of different parts and cannot be subdivided. Is being in single, numerically one, exempt from any composition. The man on the other hand has different parts like the material and the non-material. But God is spirit and is not subject to division. This unity is not incompatible with the notion of the Trinity, because unity is not the same has one unit. One unit is basically one single element. God's unity allow for personal distinction in his divine nature, while still maintaining that the divine nature is numerically one and eternally one. The unity implies that the three persons in the trinity are not three essences separated inside the divine essence.
Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, chapter 9
I only had the book in French, so the quote is a rough translation.
Upvote:9
Personalities, possibly, but roles no. To say that God merely exists as one person filling three jobs (roles) or having three "faces" is a heresy known as modalism. The exact formulations are always contentious, and the truth is there is no satisfactory analogy, because there is no terrestrial equivalent.
The tricky balance of the Trinity is to maintain the distinct personhood of the Three individuals, even though they are so close - closer even than the "one flesh" that man and wife are supposed to become.
More post
- 📝 When were the early Christians no longer considered a sect of Judaism?
- 📝 Which denominations follow prosperity theology?
- 📝 Why does the NIV have 16 verses missing from the Bible?
- 📝 What's the importance of Fasting?
- 📝 What is seen to actually occur if a female were to be the subject of laying on of the hands in ordination?
- 📝 How did John Calvin reconcile killing followers of opposing religious views with the New Testament?
- 📝 What is the earliest example of the concept of Total Depravity?
- 📝 Were the names Matthew, Mark, Luke and John common in the time of Jesus?
- 📝 Why did Jesus defend the disciples' failure to wash hands prior to eating? (Catholic perspective)
- 📝 Bible phrase from the Gospel of Matthew
- 📝 Reformed View of Titus 2:11 and Irresistible Grace
- 📝 Was there a special significance in God's choice of ravens for supply of provisions to prophet Elijah?
- 📝 What's the main logical basis that is put forth by those Christians who don't believe in the existence of God?
- 📝 Are God, Son (Jesus) and The Holy Spirit Same?
- 📝 Why was Descartes' interpretation of the Catholic transubstantiation not approved by Church and how can it be improved?
- 📝 Does God Answer Every Prayer Asked In Jesus' Name?
- 📝 Is it possible to achieve a life without sin on earth?
- 📝 What did the Centurion mean by ' the word '?
- 📝 Is there biblical evidence of seraphims being angels?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, has Satan ever appeared on earth since biblical times?
- 📝 What Protestant/Evangelical tradition is represented in the Casting Crowns song "What the World Needs"?
- 📝 How do we know the events described in the bible are true?
- 📝 Why did God tell David to go to the town of Hebron?
- 📝 Did early church fathers understand the doctrine of trinity?
- 📝 Do Christadelphians believe Jesus is God?
- 📝 In light of grace, How does a Christian consider the devotedness of Muslims and Jews?
- 📝 Did the "spirit of Samuel" come from God?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the claim that Malachi 3:6-12's curse and blessings concerning tithing apply to the New Testament Church?
- 📝 Can we know the exact date of Resurrection?
- 📝 What's the Biblical basis for "all Christians will be together in heaven some day"?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 When talking about the Trinity, what does "persons" mean?
- 📝 When the Bible talks about wine does it mean alcoholic wine?
- 📝 What do Catholics mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
- 📝 What does the Catholic Church mean when it calls humans co-creators with God?
- 📝 What do Lutherans mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about this question- Why do Jesus and God have two seats in heaven when they are the same God?
- 📝 What do Orthodox Christians mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
- 📝 What does the Nicene Creed mean when it says that the Father and the Son are of the same substance?
- 📝 When the Pope says "We commend to the Lord the souls..." what does it mean exactly? It it a symbolic gesture, a prayer, something else?
- 📝 What does the Catholic church say about its own presence or absence when the tribulation starts?
- 📝 What does it mean when Archbishop Ganswein stated that Pope Benedict XVI expanded the Petrine Ministry?
- 📝 What does Origen mean in his response when Celsus accuses Christ' of using black magic when performing miracles? What is the actual argument?
- 📝 How can we tell when Scripture is talking about one of the persons of the Trinity and when it's talking about all three?
- 📝 What does Paul mean when he says that we are no longer under the law but under grace?
- 📝 What does the Catholic Church mean when it says In-vitro Fertilization separates the procreative act from procreation?
- 📝 What does Paul mean when he says "rather we uphold the law"
- 📝 What does the The Episcopal Church mean when it says it allows everyone to participate in Holy Communion?
- 📝 What does James mean when he says that Judging a Brother Equals Judging the Law?
- 📝 What does it mean when Jesus cannot be separated from the Father and the Holy Ghost?
- 📝 What does D.A. Carson mean about the wrath and the love of God shown in the OT "in experience and types" and made clearer in the NT?
- 📝 What does the bible say about h*m*sexuality?
- 📝 What does the bible say about interracial marriages?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about Capital Punishment?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about tithing?
- 📝 What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law but did not abolish it?
- 📝 What exactly does it mean that Jesus Christ is the son of God?
- 📝 What does it mean that Jesus was the "second Adam"?
- 📝 What does it mean to "Bless the LORD"?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about Science?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about "bad" words?