The 39 Articles of Religion

Part three: the Triune God

Article I: Of faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The existence of God• The Article begins where every creed, statement of faith, and work of systematic

theology begins—with affirmation of God’s existence

God’s essential attributes• The Article sums up God’s nature with five of his attributes—that he is one, living, true,

eternal, and spiritual• This contrasts with Biblical language regarding idols: “Mouths have they, but speak not;

eyes have they, but see not.” Psalm 135:16

The Ark of the Covenant in the temple of Dagon, 1 Samuel 5 [from the Brick Testament]

Without body, parts or passions• “Without passions” is the 16th C translation of the Latin term ‘impassibilis’—

meaning God is not influenced by any external force, lack, or weakness• God’s transcendence does not indicate remoteness, but neither does he love

humanity on account of any compulsion or emotional need

Menelaus of Sparta giving Paris of Troy the business

Immense, and good

Gustave Dore illustration of Milton’s Paradise Lost—the ‘tyrant of heaven’

• God’s infinite power is exercised in wisdom and goodness

• He is no tyrant, of infinite power only• The existence of evil does not

contradict his sovereignty or goodness as some suppose

Transcendent and imminent• “The Christian idea of God who is at once transcendent and imminent is the true

protection of a living Theism, which otherwise oscillates uncertainly between these two extremes.” W. H. Griffith Thomas, The Principles of Theology, p. 27

Scientific pantheism

The logic of polytheism

The relational God

• The doctrine of the Trinity has been revealed over time through the progressive history of salvation

• Plurality of persons in essential unity is necessary to God’s nature—“God is Love” [1 John 4:16]

• Love requires relationship; an eternal loving God requires eternal relationship, but an impassible God cannot feel external need