Trinity

Theses A and B below represent the complementary pair, Unity and Diversity, as they apply to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -B and -A, represent exaggerations of A and B respectively that are commonly stated. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this dialogic diagram.

Also see 3-D Overview.

	Unity and Diversity
	A: Unity: God is one eternal and self-existent Being in essence or nature, and all-sufficient, as the Bible teaches. more	B: Diversity: God eternally exists as a unity of three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as the Bible teaches. more
	-B: Exaggeration of unity leads to monism, in which all distinctions are subsumed into the One. more	-A: Exaggeration of diversity leads to polytheism, in which there are many gods. This in turn leads to confusion about the origin and self-sufficiency of God. more

Return to Introduction

Trinity

Theses B and C below represent the complementary pair, Diversity and Equality, as they apply to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -C and -B, represent exaggerations of B and C respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this dialogic diagram

Also see 3-D Overview

	Diversity and Equality
	B: Diversity: The members of the Trinity are distinct Persons with different characteristics and relationships to each other, and have a particular order or procession. more	C: Equality: The members of the Trinity are equal in power and authority, and all equally and eternally share the divine nature. more
	-C: Exaggeration of diversity leads to a hierarchy of levels or ranks among the Persons; God is relativized into a minor power among others. more	-B: Exaggeration of diversity leads to polytheism, in which there are many gods. This in turn leads to confusion about the origin and self-sufficiency of the "gods". more

Return to Index

Return to Introduction

Trinity

Theses C and A below represent the complementary pair, Equality and Unity, as they apply to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -A and -C, represent exaggerations of C and A respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this dialogic diagram

Also see 3-D Overview

	Equality and Unity
	C: Equality: The Persons of the Trinity are equal, but this does not mean that they are identical. The Scriptures reveal three different Persons in the Godhead. more	A: Unity: God eternally exists as a unity of three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as the Bible teaches. more
	-A: Exaggeration of equality leads to a conformity, with one Person existing in different manifestations that are interchangeable. more	-C: Exaggeration of unity leads to a dualism between two equally powerful opposite principles of good and evil (Manicheism). more