The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 35: Formation of Trinitarian Dogma (2026)
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Feb 4, 2026 A lively look at how Trinitarian doctrine was formulated, including why early councils clarified belief and how Church fathers defended it. Listeners hear why Scripture and baptismal formulas reveal Trinitarian life. The talk explains technical terms like substance, person, hypostasis and relation. It closes by reflecting on the mystery of the Trinity with Augustine’s seaside story.
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Trinity Rooted In Baptismal Faith
- The Trinity was part of the Church's living faith from the start and is rooted in baptismal formula and apostolic greetings.
- Early councils and Church Fathers clarified doctrine to deepen understanding and counter errors.
Philosophy Recast To Express Mystery
- The Church adopted philosophical terms like substance, person, and relation to articulate the Trinity precisely.
- She redefined these terms to point beyond philosophy toward an ineffable divine mystery.
Substance As Divine Unity
- 'Substance' (essence or nature) designates God's being in unity; it names what God is in himself.
- This frames divine unity as the common nature shared by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
