The 39 Articles of Religion

1. The 39 Articles of Religion Part three: the Triune God

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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]

5. 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

6. Immense, and good • 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 Gustave Dore illustration of Milton’s Paradise Lost—the ‘tyrant of heaven’

7. 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 The logic of polytheism Scientific pantheism

8. 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