Belief in the Trinity

From the earliest catechism we were taught that Jesus is the Son of God.  This is not a term loosely taught, nor a term that has no superficial meaning without sustenance, or something to be verbalized by Roman Catholics to make our dogmas appear authoritative.  We also learned the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity of God, therefore comprising three persons, divine and one God.  

Yet, there are many religious groups who do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God.  And there are quite a few who do not accept the Trinity.   There are many denominations who will not use theological discernment unless a theme is written word for word on any subject.  

There is a term “Nontrinitarianism which is a form of Christianity that rejects the mainstream Christian doctrine of the Trinity.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches; “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life.  It is the mystery of God in himself.  It is therefore the source of all other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.  It is the the most fundamental and essential teaching in the hierarchy of the truths of faith. The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin.”  (CCC 234).

Nontrinitarian denominations number in the 20’s.  A few are well-known such as; The Church of Latter day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarian, and the United Church of God.  So when you ride past any of these groups’ churches, realize most do not adhere to the true teaching of the Trinity.  

Where do we find testimony for the Spirit of God; “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waves.  Gen. 1: 2.  “Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”  Gen. 6:3.

 “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your Presence.”  Psalm 139: 7.

“”Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as his counselor has informed him?”  Is. 40: 13.

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water. and behold the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on him.”  Mt. 3: 16.

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  Peter 4: 14.

As Catholics (not including the many denominations with nominal names) it may be hard to imagine there are so many in name only that do not adhere to the Trinity.  It has taken Councils to proclaim the full divinity of the Son and Holy Spirit.  The First Council of Nicaea (325) declaring the full divinity of the Son, and the First Council of Constantinople (381) declaring the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.  

Of course the many denominations that do not adhere to the Trinity might say belief in this teaching is Catholic and really is not true.  However, as paragraph three relates there are a number of Councils that emphasizes the tireless efforts of the Church Fathers to prove that we are correct.  Our theological history did not just place the thoughts of popes’ and cardinals’ in a premise of dogmas backing up these theories, but through the Holy Spirit’s intercession in human history taught humanity the Will of God to lead us on our spiritual journey to the Father.

Why, we may ask, do the many denominations fight against the teaching of the Catholic Church when the Son of God strenuously taught over the three years of his ministry the dictates of salvation which are inclusive of the intervention of the Holy Spirit leading to the Father, Son, and he who is the Holy Spirit.

Might it be that these unbelieving groups want to make their own kind of religious entity and try to ensnare everyone into their misguided faith?  

Ralph B. Hathaway, Trinity 2021