What are Catholics required to believe about the Trinity?

Michie · May 25, 2024

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lays out the essential dogma that all Catholics are asked to believe about the Holy Trinity.

The Holy Trinity is a mystery difficult to comprehend, and it is likely that we will never fully grasp it during our life on earth.

However, the Church has laid out a few essential points that all Catholics are required to believe. We may not fully understand these dogmatic points, but that is where faith comes into play, trusting that the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church.

1 THE TRINITY IS ONE

The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the “consubstantial Trinity.” The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: “The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God.” In the words of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), “Each of the persons is that supreme reality, viz., the divine substance, essence or nature.”
CCC 253

2 THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER

The divine persons are really distinct from one another. “God is one but not solitary.” “Father,” “Son,” “Holy Spirit” are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another: “He is not the Father who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son.” They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: “It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds.” The divine Unity is Triune.
CCC 254

3 THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER

Continued below.

What are Catholics required to believe about the Trinity?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lays out the essential dogma that all Catholics are asked to believe about the Holy Trinity.

aleteia.org

WarriorAngel · May 25, 2024

In spirit - on the other side - the Trinity makes perfect sense.
Human words, logic, comprehension is like any type of understanding of spirit.
Practically impossible.

Considering Isaiah said: He [the Son born unto us] will be called Father Almighty.

In fact in spirit it is all energy and visual.
We shall 'see' the truths, fully understand Them, and forever be without worldly human intellect to explain it.

AlexB23 · May 25, 2024

Michie said:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lays out the essential dogma that all Catholics are asked to believe about the Holy Trinity.

The Holy Trinity is a mystery difficult to comprehend, and it is likely that we will never fully grasp it during our life on earth.

However, the Church has laid out a few essential points that all Catholics are required to believe. We may not fully understand these dogmatic points, but that is where faith comes into play, trusting that the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church.

1
THE TRINITY IS ONE

2
THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER

3
THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER

Continued below.

What are Catholics required to believe about the Trinity?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lays out the essential dogma that all Catholics are asked to believe about the Holy Trinity.

aleteia.org

Matthew and 2 Corinthians talk about the Trinity as well. These verses state that God is the Trinity. The church had a sermon today about the Trinity.

Matthew 28:19 (NIV): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV): "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Lady Bug · May 26, 2024

I have my own understanding of the Trinity, or so I thought, but it looks too much like modalism (even though I know it's not exactly that). Sigh, what if I've been thinking about it wrong this whole time?

Michie · May 26, 2024

This Sunday, In Jesus We See the Whole Trinity — and Join In

We like to say the Trinity’s relationship is like a family, but it turns out something more profound is true.

media.benedictine.edu

WarriorAngel · May 29, 2024

Lady Bug said:
I have my own understanding of the Trinity, or so I thought, but it looks too much like modalism (even though I know it's not exactly that). Sigh, what if I've been thinking about it wrong this whole time?

They do not believe in Three distinct [though One]?

concretecamper · Jun 17, 2024

Michie said:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lays out the essential dogma that all Catholics are asked to believe about the Holy Trinity.

I think "asked" is a little weak. IMO, "required" would be a better term.

RileyG · Jun 18, 2024

WarriorAngel said:
In spirit - on the other side - the Trinity makes perfect sense.
Human words, logic, comprehension is like any type of understanding of spirit.
Practically impossible.

Considering Isaiah said: He [the Son born unto us] will be called Father Almighty.

In fact in spirit it is all energy and visual.
We shall 'see' the truths, fully understand Them, and forever be without worldly human intellect to explain it.

Amen!

What are Catholics required to believe about the Trinity?

Well-Known Member

1​

THE TRINITY IS ONE​

2​

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER​

3​

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER​

I close my eyes and see you smile

Christian

1​

THE TRINITY IS ONE​

2​

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER​

3​

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER​

Thankful For My Confirmation

Well-Known Member

I close my eyes and see you smile

I stand with Candice.

Veteran

Similar threads

1

THE TRINITY IS ONE

2

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER

3

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER

1

THE TRINITY IS ONE

2

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE REALLY DISTINCT FROM ONE ANOTHER

3

THE DIVINE PERSONS ARE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER