Course Description:

To know God and to make Him known is our highest calling. By studying the historic, classic, and orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity, learners discover how and why the doctrine emerged in the fourth century, as well as the various and progressive ways this doctrine has been understood throughout history. Throughout the course, Dr. Toon demonstrates that a right understanding of the Trinity is essential to a right understanding of God's relation to man and man's relation to God.

Course Objectives:

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Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate that Yahweh-Elohim is ONE God in whom is unity and plurality.
2. Understand the teaching of the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds and to know why the term "homoousios" is of critical importance for Christian orthodoxy.
3. Appreciate the reasons why the early church stated the biblical doctrine of the Trinity in ontological, essentialist terms.
4. Believe that the doctrine of the Trinity is central to the Christian practices of worship, prayer, spirituality, ethics, mission, teaching, and evangelism.

Course Texts:

Bray, G.L. The Doctrine of God. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Erickson, Millard J. God in Three Persons. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003.

Hill, William J. The Three-Personed God. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 1982.