www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings The Eastern description of the Trinity

Hello, does anyone have urls for a description on how the Eastern Orthodox describe the Trinity?

Thanks.

BradM

Brad,

Try the following:

Greek Orthodox Church in America

www.goarch.org [goarch.org]

Orthodox Church in America

www.oca.org [oca.org]


james

Brad,

Since you posted your topic on the 'Focus on Scripture' forum, are you looking for differences in biblical interpretation?

If not, have you contacted the Orthodox (seeing how you limited your answer only to that jurisdiction)?

Joe

Brad,

Since you posted your topic on the 'Focus on Scripture' forum, are you looking for differences in biblical interpretation?

If not, have you contacted the Orthodox (seeing how you limited your answer only to that jurisdiction)?

Joe

Sorry for multiple posts.

Joe

Dear BradM,

Although this isn't exactly what you requested it goes along with the subject. Here's a comparison of the Eastern and Western approach to the Holy Trinity put out by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
.

see:

http://praiseofglory.com/Stmaximus.htm/filioque.htm/

Trusting In Christ's Light,
Wm. DerGhazarian
Looys Kreesdosee
www.geocities.com/derghazar [geocities.com]

First, I am looking at how the East describes the relationships between each Person of the Trinity and how God remains a united One in Trinity. I read a description about 9 mos. ago that I liked but I can't find it now. It was along the lines of the Father is the supreme monarch of the Trinity and both the Son and the Spirit come from the Father; and I remember Alex (Orthodox Catholic) state that the Holy Spirit proceeds actively from the Father and passively through the Son.

Next, I would like to know how the East sees the verses related to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and how they are interpreted to conform with their view.

Next, I would like to understand what about the Western view of "and the Son" the East does not like.

Thanks,

BradM

Actually this is a really good web page. I will read the article and others on the site.

I have found for some people who have a hard time comprehending the Trinity the Eastern view seems more understandable to them than some of the Western descriptions I have heard.

How do you all see the relationship between the Spirit and the Son? What about references in the epistles to "the Spirit of Christ"?

Thanks,

BradM

I prefer the Eastern view of the Holy Trinity (although I respect the Latin view as legitimate). I myself, even when I was a member of the Latin Church, never really cared for the way the West descibed God in philosophical and very abstract terms. The idea that God is the "first (un-caused) cause" or that the Son of God is God's "idea" of Himself or that the Spirit is an "impersonal force" all seemed very cold and distant to me (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Frank Sheed's Theology for Beginners). I much prefer and am drawn to the Eastern explanation and approach to the Holy Trinity. This approach, which (as Fr. Thomas Hopko emphasizes in his lectures on the Nicene Creed) is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. It recognizes that our God is not first and foremost the god of the philosophers but principally the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He has revealed Himself as Father. This is why the Nicene Symbol confesses that we "beleive in one God: the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth..." The faith of the Church in God, came not from abstract reflection about the Divine Essence but rather from first hand experience of Him. It was only after the Church (in both Old and New Testaments) had experienced the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, did she begin to try and formulate her faith in the Holy Trinity. Yet she had been praying to this Trinity already for several centuries before she made such formulations about our God. Anyways, this is why I prefer the Eastern approach to the Trinity.

Trusting In Christ's Light,
Wm. DerGhazarian
Looys Kreesdosee
www.geocities.com/derghazar [geocities.com]

Who really can describe the Holy Trinity????

The Holy Fathers who spoke with the Spirit's prompting perhaps?

anastasios

Anastasios, Good to hear from you!

Yes, yes! And still, they barely said a word. They realy talked around the Trinity, apophatically.

I don't believe that we will come to understand all at this time. Some things have not yet been revealed.

On the Eve of the Transfiguration we should remember that He revealed himself to his disciples only as much as they could bear it.

In Christ,
Andrew

Andrew,

Since you put it that way, I think you're right. Perhaps how we "approach" the Mystery of the Holy Trinity is a better choice of words than how we "describe" the Holy Trinity. What do you think?

Andrew,

Yes, I agree that very little can be understood. Yet when there was a need for a clarification the Spirit has revealed the truth. So I guess we can say that we cannot understand the Trinity but at times the Trinity reveals itself. Good points.

anastasios

Perhaps rather than describing the Trinity itself, the Scriptures and the Fathers describe the actions of the Trinity in relation to the salvation of mankind. Still, "how" and "why" God acts are often not revealed.

Wishing everyone a blessed feast of the Transfiguration!

In Christ,
Andrew