ontological Trinity
The Trinity in itself, or the three persons as they relate to one another without regard to creation.1 Also called the essential or the immanent Trinity.
- From the Athanasian Creed:
The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone.
The Son was neither made nor created;
he was begotten from the Father alone.
The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten;
he proceeds from the Father and the Son. - From the Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q. 9. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.
Q. 10. What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son, from all eternity.
Learn more:
- R. C. Sproul: What’s the Difference between the Ontological and the Economic Trinity?
- Fred Sanders: What Are the Economic and Immanent Trinities? (video)
Related terms:
1 From Robert Letham’s Systematic Theology, page 945.
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