Theological Term of the Week

Defining a term used in defining the Trinity

person
Used in regards to the Trinity: center of consciousness or expression; personality;  “a distinct subject which regards himself as ‘I’ and others as ‘You’”¹; a “who”²—but not a separate, independent individual.

• From the Bible:

  To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood…. (1 Peter 1:102 ESV)

• From the Belgic Confession, Article 8, The Trinity:

  In keeping with this truth and Word of God we believe in one God, who is one single essence, in whom there are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct according to their incommunicable properties— namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the cause, origin, and source of all things, visible as well as invisible. The Son is the Word, the Wisdom, and the image of the Father. The Holy Spirit is the eternal power and might, proceeding from the Father and the Son. Nevertheless, this distinction does not divide God into three, since Scripture teaches us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each has his own subsistence distinguished by characteristics—yet in such a way that these three persons are only one God. It is evident then that the Father is not the Son and that the Son is not the Father, and that likewise the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son.

  
  From Francis R. Beattie, The Presbyterian Standards, Chapter IV:
  

  1. The Godhead subsists in three persons. The names of these three persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. These three are properly called persons, because in the Scriptures the qualities of personality, such as individuality, intelligence, and free agency, are ascribed alike to these three. In other words, self-consciousness and self-determination, the elements of personality, are applied in the Scriptures equally to the three persons of the Godhead. The Father stands first in the order of being and operation. Hence, he is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding. Uniformly he is spoken of as first in order. The Son always stands second in order, and is eternally begotten of the Father. He is, and ever has been, the only-begotten and well-beloved Son of the Father. The Holy Ghost, or Spirit, always stands third in order, and is represented as eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son, for he is called alike the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ. On account of this order of subsistence and operation, they are called the first, the second, and the third persons of the Godhead. But this does not denote that there is any inferiority of essence, or any limitation of attributes, in any of the three persons. It is only meant that there are eternal and abiding relations subsisting between the three persons, in the indivisible essence of the Godhead.

  2. The second point relates to the peculiar property pertaining to each person.  …These personal properties are to be carefully distinguished from the divine attributes already described. The attributes qualify either the essence, or the modes of the activity of the essence. The personal properties are possessed by the three persons, and modify them separately. The attributes pertain equally to all the persons, while the properties pertain only to each of the several persons in order. This distinction must always be kept carefully in mind.

Learn more:

1. James White: Loving the Trinity
   
2. Christian Research Institute: Is the Trinity Biblical?
3. John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 13, Section 2 and Section 6
4. John Piper: How Do You Understand the Trinity? (mp3)
   
5. James White: The Biblical Truth of the Trinity (mp3)

¹ What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity? by Desiring God Staff.
² Loving the Trinity by James White.

Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion, and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.

What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?

The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them;[1] envying at,[2] contempt of,[3] and rebellion [4] against, their persons [5] and places,[6] in their lawful counsels,[7] commands, and corrections;[8] cursing, mocking,[9] and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.[10

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Sunday's Hymn

Here’s a hymn sung at Riverdale Baptist Church in Whitehorse, Yukon this morning:

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

–Charles Wesley

How about video of a piano performance of this hymn?

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our God at Hiraeth
• Take My Life and Let It Be at Field Stone Cottage
• Lord’s Day 36, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
• May God Permit My Tongue at joythruChrist
• Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless at Conjubilant with Song
• Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat  at Whatever Things…
• We All Can Do Good at The Happy Wonderer
• Your Weekly Dose of Spurgeon: Science, Falsely So-Called at Pyromaniacs
• How Deep the Father’s Love at Practicing Theology
• Update: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing at Driveway Blogger
  

Have you posted a hymn today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.