• First, I recommend to all the "model" of the Trinity as given in the Nicene Creed: "Proceeds from the Father, and with the Father and the Son is glorified."



• The second view to recognize began as two different concepts, and according to Nicea belong in different paragraphs--not the same sentence. The "filoque" ADDs two words to the Nicene Creed; and in so doing is actually spiritually unhealthy. It says: "Proceeds from the Father *and the son*" It introduces lots of problems -- damaging the uniqueness of the persons of the Trinity is one of them. And making the Spirit subordinate to the Son--from which he then also proceeds is another........resulting naturally then in the idea of the Pope being infalable.....since Christ's figurehead is superior to the Holy Spirit.



• Other historical problems also then should be mentioned. Modalism is one of them.



• Augustine had at least three models of his own. I can't remember if he didn't recant of one of them. Perhaps the idea that the Spirit was only the love between the Father and the Son.......as this tends to depersonalize the Spirit. I think that the "social model" is also his. Augustine wrote lots about the Trinity. Said much that is good. Didn't get free of all his problems though. Read Augustine at www.ccel.org



• Back to Nicea and the Capadocians, I like the remark by one of the Gregories that as soon as he contemplates the one he apprehends the three, and as soon as he contemplates the three he apprehends the one. And I like that they knew that while they could know God personally, they never could know God in his essence. Yet they could know God personally in his energies towards them that were the action of all the the triune persons together.


Finally, I like that the recognized that the personal relationship with the Trinity IS through God's difine uncreated energies. That the "fruit" of the Spirit is the work of the Trinity effected by the Person of the Spirit in us. The Fruits are the work of the Triune God in us. THIS IS THE LEVEL THAT THE TRINITY NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD! Its not just us, trying to immitate God. And the work that is of one of the persons is always the work of the three. (Again, the Gregory quote.) And EVERY fruit always contains all the other fruit. (I read that recently, and was bowled over by it!!!) Love presumes also humility, and gentleness, etc. That wholeness is due to the fact that the fruit is the work of the Triune God: Father, Son and Spirit.

quote:

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Originally posted by honorman

I've heard there are different models for the Trinity. Could they be listed? And are there any books to read on them? Thanks!

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REVIEW OF "ENERGIES OF THE SPIRIT: TRINITARIAN MODELS IN EASTERN ORTHODOX AND WESTERN THEOLOGY," by Duncan Reid (Scholars Press, 1997)

• Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-09/Npnf2-09-07.htm#P917_571068
  (note: Hillary is sometimes refered to as the Athanasius of the West.")



• St. Ambrose, Three Books on the Holy Spirit
  http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/Npnf2-10-12.htm#P2109_490464
  Book I. http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/Npnf2-10-13.htm#P2114_490519
  Book II. http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/Npnf2-10-14.htm#P2551_598001
  Book III. http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/Npnf2-10-15.htm#P2976_698798



• Gregory Nazianzen, "Theological" Orations:
  Oration XXVII. (The First Theological Oration) http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-42.htm#TopOfPage
  Oration XXVIII. (The Second Theological Oration.) http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-43.htm#P4227_1297596
  Oration XXIX. (The Third Theological Oration: On the Son) http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-44.htm#P4360_1362644
  Oration XXX. (The Fourth Theological Oration, Which is the Second Concerning the Son.) http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-45.htm#P4479_1410500
  Oration XXXII. (The Fifth Theological Oration: On the Holy Spirit.) http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-46.htm#P4606_1453815



• St. Aurelius Augustin, ON THE TRINITY
  On the Trinity - In Fifteen Books http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-03/npnf1-03-06.htm#P163_49810



• St. Basil, ON THE SPIRIT (De Spiritu Sancto)
  http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-08/Npnf2-08-06.htm#P1123_256929



• Athanasius (Bishop of Alexandria), On the Incarnation of the Word (not "trinity", but I just have to include it...)
  http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-04/Npnf2-04-16.htm#P1830_678055



• http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-04/TOC.htm



• Gregory of Nyssa,
  On the Holy Spirit, Against the Followers of Macedonius http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-05/Npnf2-05-26.htm#P2435_1676104
  On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-05/Npnf2-05-27.htm#P2525_1733346
  On "Not Three Gods" http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-05/Npnf2-05-28.htm#P2559_1755103
  



• http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-14/TOC.htm
  CONTAINING:
  The First Ecumenical Council; The First Council of Nice
  The Second Ecumenical Council. The First Council of Constantinople.
  The Third Ecumenical Council.; The Council of Ephesus.
  The Fourth Ecumenical Council.; The Council of Chalcedon.
  The Fifth Ecumenical Council. The Second Council of Constantinople.
  The Sixth Ecumenical Council.; The Third Council of Constantinople.
  The Seventh Ecumenical Council. The Second Council of Nice.