Answer

DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOLY TRINITY

Introduction

            The focal Christian certifications about God are consolidated and centered in the exemplary tenet of the Trinity, which has its definitive establishment in the fundamental strict experience of the Christians in the main networks. This premise of involvement is more established than the principle of the Trinity. The Trinity is a threefold figure composed of the creator, the son and the Holy Spirit.^[1] The trinity refers to the combination of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. All the three elements of the trinity are considered as equal and the same. Although the Trinity in a manifold figure, Jesus is regarded as the physical manifestation of the Trinity.

Emperors Influence on the Spread of Christianity

Emperor Diocletian was the last emperor to inflict substantial persecution on Christians. Diocletian believed the Christian religion was a disruptive movement that undermined the unity of the Roman Empire. Diocletian anticipated that the eradication of Christianity would diminish disruption associated with religious conflict. ^[2]In order to effectively govern the vast empire that stretched from the Middle East to the British Isles, he devised a plan that separated the empire into four territories. He would hold the title of Chief Emperor and the four districts would be governed by Emperors. This strategy later result in unintended consequences that would catapult Christianity to adopted religion of the Empire.

In the western most territory, Constantius Chlorus the father of Constantine ruled as Emperor.  Eventually Constantine would succeed his father. In 305, Diocletian would abdicate the throne, which set the stage for the remaining three emperors to fight for the claim of sole Emperor. Emperor Diocletian actions would set into the motion, the events that would lead Rome to a government of with Emperor Constantine sole Emperor.

Emperor Constantine had a major influence in the spread of Christianity across Europe and many historians consider Constantine as one of the most influential and first politician that embraced Christianity. As per the legend, on Oct. 27, the day preceding the two armed forces would fight outside of Rome close to the Milvian Bridge, Constantine had a dream teaching him to battle for the sake of Christ, with his warriors’ shields bearing the image of Christ. The image was a cross or the labarum, a convergence of the chi (X) and rho (P), the letters of Christ.^[3]After Constantine victor at Mivian, he would negotiate a decree with Emperor Licinius the (leader of the West get actiate title and era governed) that legalized Christianity throughout the empire.  As Constantine influence throughout the empire grew, his Christian beliefs increased in which he consistently promoted. Around 323 Christianity became the officially became the Religion in of the Roman Empire. Some historians believed this was the catalyst to the war between Constantine in the East and Licious in the west. In 324, Constantine defeated Licinius and became the lone ruler of the Roman Empire. Christianity was well established throughout the Roman Empire, but there were dissentions over doctrines.

Arius

Arius a Presbyter Theologian from Alexander Egypt who theology on the God head caused quite a controversy and was a main reason for the first Council. Arius teachings would give rise to a theological doctrine referred as Arianism. Jehovah Witness theology is based of Arianism doctrine. Arianism confirmed a created, predetermined nature of Christ rather than equivalent holiness with God the Father and was condemned by the members of the early church as a main heresy.

Athanasius    

Athanasius was a Christian Theologian also knows as the “Black Dwarf” as his adversaries labeled him. He was described as a short dark-skinned Egyptian Bishop. He was exiled five times for his beliefs of the Holy Trinity. His views directly opposed those of Arian, and he considered Arian’s views heresy. He believed that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were of equal nature.

            The doctrine of the Trinity the foundation in which Christianity is built upon. The doctrine of the Trinity has been at the forefront of debates amongst theologians, differing views of the Trinity has at times been contentious and caused split ups in Christianity. The main points of these councils would be to settle theological disputes between Arian and Athanasius.

Ecumenical Councils

            Constantine attempted to unify Christianity and settle the dispute of the Holy Trinity by assembling the First Ecumenical Council in 325.

Council of Nicaea (325)

The council rejected the main principles of Arian’s teachings and called his teachings hearsay. The council accepted the term homoousios the Greek word meaning same substance. This term would create a controversy because it was not found in the bible and the distinction had to be made from homi, which means similar substance and puts Jesus in a subordinate to God.

Nicaean Creed

Nicaean Creed is a statement of faith adopted by the early Christian Church that opposed the heresies of Arianism. Creed was intended to establish a unified doctrine of the Trinity, and of the person of Christ: 

“We believe in one God the Father all-powerful, Maker of all things both seen and unseen. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten begotten from the Father, that is from the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father, through whom all things came to be, both those in heaven and those in earth; for us humans and for our salvation he came down and became incarnate, became human, suffered and rose up on the third day, went up into the heavens, is coming to judge the living and the dead”.^[4]

Adjudication of Jesus Divinity settle dispute between Arius and Athanasius

            Mornachians

            In 325, it is evident that the council of Nicaea was established to settle the existing controversy regarding the divinity of Jesus. The council focused on unity as a strategy which would be effective in addressing the controversy. Notably, the council condemned Arius by considering him a heretic before issuing a creed to offer a safeguard to the orthodox associated with the Christian belief. With the creed, the Son was regarded as a single substance with the Father, depicting that the two are all divine elements of the Holy Trinity.^[5]

            Adoptionists

Other Monarchianists were called adoptionists since they accepted that Jesus had been uncommonly received by God thus saturated with the totality of the heavenly presence.^[6] The Modalist Monarchians maintained that God uncovered himself in three modes, as Father, Son and Spirit, yet never simultaneously. This safeguarded the possibility of the full godlikeness of the Son, however to the detriment of any genuine qualification between the Son and the Father. Some Modalists accepted that Jesus Christ was really the Father in the substance. All types of Monarchianism were ultimately marked as wrong and dismissed as heresy by the Christian houses of worship across the empire.^[7]

Definition of the Trinity: Differences between the Father and Son

            Under the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the father is the Creator as well as the Judge. He is also regarded as the Lord of the history of salvation. Jesus Christ is the son. He is also considered as the resurrected one. Jesus Christ is considered as the Lord’s figure or representative.

Origen

            According to Origen, the father is considered as the first person and the only one. Notably, the Father is God in his fullest sense. On the contrary, the son is regarded as the power source. The Son is also considered as the wisdom in relation to the father and to the world.^[8]

Arius

            Arius argues that although the Father and the son are both elements of the Holy Trinity doctrine, they are also considered as God but with different underlying differences since they are different persons. Notably, Jesus prayed to God without addressing the prayer to himself. In various instances, a continued dialogue is seen between the Father and the Son showing that the two are different persons. For instance, in John 5:19, Matthew 3:17, and John 11:41-42 among others it is evident that the Father and the Son are considered as different persons. ^[9]

Council of Constantinople (381)

            Although the Holy Trinity is composed of four doctrines, it is evident that the elements are defined by a factor of equality. Evidently, the council focused on addressing the issue of the relationship that Christ as to the Father before the incarnation. In this case, a conclusion was derived that the two elements are equal despite their prevailing differences. ^[10]

Modification of Nicaean Creed from 325

            During the council of the Nicaea recorded in 325, it is apparent that the equality of the Holy Trinity aspects such as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit was established. Furthermore, it was ascertained that only the Son, besides the other element of the Trinity, was used to act as Jesus Christ’s incarnate.^[11] The Nicaean Creed focused on serving the purpose of addressing the whole body of believers. According to emperor Constantine who focused on resolving the Arianism controversy, a doctrine arguing that Christ was not a divine being but a created element, all the aspects of the Holy Trinity were equal in that the Father and the Son signified equality.^[12]

Council of Chalcedon (451)

            The council of Chalcedon maintained that there existed a single nature in Christ. Furthermore, the council maintained a stand that Christ has two natures within a single individual and hypostasis. This focused on the argument that Christ represented two natures such as that of man and God.^[13] The results from this council proved to be effective in promoting an understanding of the Holy Trinity. Evidently, with the findings from the council, it was derived that a balance exists between Manhood and Godhead aspects as defined by “the Son” element of the Trinity. Arguably, the unity between the two is recorded by the fact that Jesus Christ is deemed as a person existing in two natures without change, confusion, or severance. The variance experienced between the two natures is not separated because of union but on the perfection that both elements exist within a single person. ^[14]

Nicaea and Politics

Nicaea and Christendom

            The council of Nicaea was effective in promoting Christianity during the historical times and in the present day. Arguably, the Nicaean council was the first one to address the whole body of Christian believers. The primary focus of the council was to clarify various elements of the Christian teaching presented in the Bible. For instance, the Council members focused on clarifying the teaching of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. The council promoted Christianity by maintaining a factor that Christ was not a created being a divine aspect of the trinity.^[15]

            The council observed an evangelistic mission involving efforts focused on addressing the disagreements common within the Church of Alexandria on the nature of Christ and his relationship to the Father. Specifically, the council sought to address the disagreement on whether Christ was the same or simply a substance equated to God the Father. A position was however derived that the two elements of the Holy Trinity shared equal positions under the doctrine.

The imperial rule and the church are reflected in the case of the council of Nicaea which functioned under the rule of the emperor Constantine. The cordiality associated with the new imperial regime associated with Christianity was signified through personalized invites to the Bishop of Spain. The imperial rule focused on the importance of deriving unity and promoting peace within the Christian community. This was focused on leading the people away from Arianism as supported by Constantine during the 4^th century.^[16]

Conclusion

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a dogma that has been highly debated throughout the history of the church. The debate continues to this day and has been a major contributor to division amongst in the church. Notably, some believers consider the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as unequal despite the fact that they are all Holy Trinity Composition. On the contrary, others believe that the Father and the Son have equal positions under the doctrine despite having several clear differences.