THE 224 Christian Narrative 2
Dr, Joseph Kim Sample Doctrinal Statement
Example of the First Section from a CN1 student’s paper:
Trinitarianism and God the Father
1. The Doctrine of the Trinity
I believe that there is one God, who, due to the nature of His existence, exists eternally in three
equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that although these three hold
different positions and carry out different actions are completely equal in their existence. I
believe that not only are these three Persons equal, they make up one, and only one God, in three
Persons. I believe that although they are three distinct Persons and carry out different tasks, they
are the same in likeness, qualities, and abilities.
Deuteronomy 6:4 – There is only one God, who exists as one Being
Matthew 6:9 – The Father is God
John 5:23-24 – The Son is God
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 – The Spirit is God
Matthew 3:16-17 – God exists in three distinct Persons
2. God the Father
I believe that God the Father is the Supreme Authority and the Supreme and Transcendent Ruler
of all things. I believe that He is the one in complete control over all. Whatever He wills will
come to pass. I believe that nothing He wills goes against the nature of God. I believe that the
glory of God the Father results in Him being infinite, self-existent, and immutable. I believe that
the Sovereignty of God the Father makes Him omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. I
believe that the holiness of God the Father makes Him righteous, just, wrathful, and good. I
believe that God the Father exists in Love. I believe that God the Father is the Creator and
Architect of all that exists, the Holy Judge, the Compassionate Reconciler, and the One to whom
all things return. God the Father, although equal to the Son and the Holy Spirit, is the Godhead
of the three Persons. He is supreme over all. There is nothing above Him or behind Him.
Ephesians 1:3-14 – God the Father is the Sovereign Ruler and Supreme Authority
Genesis 1:1 – God the Father is the Creator and Architect of all things
Genesis 18:25 – God the Father is the holy Judge
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – God the Father is the Compassionate Reconciler
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 – God the Father is the One to whom all things return
I was raised in a Christian home and grew up going to church. Although my
understanding of the Trinity was orthodox, I had never really understood or gave much thought
to it. Although I had understood that the Trinity was three Persons of equal likeness, I had never
understood why. Although I had understood that God the Father was equal to the other Persons
and yet distinct as the Godhead, I had never understood why. I still struggle in wrapping my
mind around the fact that God the Father is equal to Christ and the Holy Spirit, and yet they exist
in submission to Him. Although I firmly believe it, my mind at times cannot comprehend it. The
closest to understanding I get is picturing the relationship like a marriage. Although the husband
stands as the head of the family, and the wife submits, she is of no lesser value. Within the
THE 224 Christian Narrative 2
Dr, Joseph Kim Sample Doctrinal Statement
Doctrine of The Trinity there arose many different heresies dealing with the existence and nature
of Jesus Christ. Docetism taught that Jesus was only God, and only appeared to be human.
Ebionism taught that Jesus was only human. Adoptionism taught that Jesus was a human adopted
by God and indwelt by the living Logos. Modalism taught that God is one person who took on
the different roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Arianism taught that Christ at one point in
time did not exist, because God the Father made Him. I disagree with all of these. Rather, I
believe that Jesus Christ is both fully man and fully God. Again, although I believe this, my mind
struggles in wrapping itself around this concept, however I also understand that our minds cannot
fully comprehend the complete existence of God. My greatest understanding of the equal and yet
distinct Persons of God came from a chart shows God as the center, with the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit along the outside. The chart explains that each of these Persons are God, but are not
each other. It shows the equality, diversity, and unity of God.
In understanding God the Father, I reflect back on the churches I have grown up in.
Whether from not digging deep into their theological teaching, or not comprehending what was
being taught, I realize that they did not present or mold my understanding of the Trinity or God
the Father. I believe that one of the most confusing parts for me in learning about God the Father
in this class is understanding that although the three Persons of God are distinct and diverse, all
the attributes of God the Father are the same attributes of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Dr. Kim
explained that Christians typically think of the attributes of God as referring to the Father.
However he further explained that in the Trinitarian perspective, whatever is the nature of one
Person is the nature of all three, because they cannot exist opposing each other. This is what I
have grown to understand that greatest. The same attributes that exist in all three of the Persons
of God show in different ways, which makes the Persons diverse.
