Trinity

The English word Trinity is derived from Latin Trinitas, meaning "three, a triad". The word is most closely associated with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity which signifies the unity of the three “persons”: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Essentially, together, they form the one essence of God. The doctrine developed from the New Testament, specifically Matthew 28:19, wherein Jesus says to his eleven disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Historically speaking, however, the Trinity Doctrine has presented its fair share of challenges for the Christian Church from its earliest days of inception. The philosophical Greek-speaking (eastern) part of the Roman Empire had trouble reconciling the three entities as one. A Holy Trinity, it seemed to them, defied the very logic of a single, monotheistic godhead. It would take the Church several centuries and evolving interpretations to define the indefinable: i.e., God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Middle Ages, scores of scholars and self-appointed theologians who dared to apply medieval logic to the “mystery” of the Trinity were deemed heretics. The Holy Trinity indeed presented a deep philosophical problem by the 12th century, and one not easily explained away by logic. It was a 13th century Dominican priest named Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential thinkers of his time, who finally bridged the gap between philosophical reason and theological faith for the Church. He argued that faith, as symbolized by divine revelations such as the Holy Trinity, complemented rather than contradicted reason. He used the logic-based works of Aristotle to support his claims that faith and reason are both Truths – sometimes independent of one another, and sometimes not – but never in conflict. We can say with a high degree of confidence that the papacy let out a big sigh of relief – the Church rewarded Thomas Aquinas with sainthood. We would definitely consider Trinity a modern-day virtue name for girls (a 20th century creation and one used primarily in the United States). For the religiously conscious Christian parent, it’s a lovely name choice and one with a unifying quality. Trinity is a way to show honor and respect for God the Father (the Creator); God the Son (the Incarnation) and God the Holy Spirit (that which dwells in the souls of the faithful).