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Trinity

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

Christian formulation of divine unity and Father/Son/Spirit distinction, with a history of debate.

Modern timeline of witnesses and formulations, not one birth date for belief or immediate consensus. It distinguishes 381 from the expanded creed’s attestation in 451
Modern timeline of witnesses and formulations, not one birth date for belief or immediate consensus. It distinguishes 381 from the expanded creed’s attestation in 451IL Archive · original diagram · CC BYImage source

Text

The technical formula has roots in earlier texts and worship, but does not occur verbatim in every detail in the New Testament. Later Nicene usage speaks of one essenceOusia — essenceGreek term for essence or nature, with meanings changing between authors.Glossary · Click to read the explanation and three hypostasesHypostasisTerm later used for distinguishing Father, Son and Spirit within one divinity.Glossary · Click to read the explanation, not three independent gods. [1][2]

The modern diagram dates witnesses, without depicting the divine being or judging the doctrine’s truth.

References and notes

  1. Keith Ward, Christ and the Cosmos (2015), ch. 6, “Three Centres of Consciousness?”, pp. 33–42. Publisher summary and metadata only: distinguishes New Testament language from three coequal persons in one substance. Not a full chapter reading or consensus on early Christianity. Return to the text ↑
  2. Basil of Caesarea, Letter 236.6, translated in NPNF 8. Distinguishes general ousia from particular hypostasis, one divinity with Father/Son/Spirit properties. Section 6 only read. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 11 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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Cite this record

IL Archive, «Trinity», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/trinity