How Did the Trinity Doctrine Emerge?

At this point, you might wonder: If the Trinity is not a biblical teaching, how did it become a central doctrine of Christendom?

Across the ancient world, dating back to Babylonia, the worship of pagan gods arranged in groups of three, or triads, was widespread. This practice was also prominent in Egypt, Greece, and Rome in the centuries surrounding the time of Christ. Following the death of the apostles, these pagan influences started to infiltrate Christianity (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024).

Historian Will Durant remarked, “Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. . . . The concept of a divine trinity originated in Egypt.” Similarly, Siegfried Morenz, in his book Egyptian Religion, explains: “The trinity was a central focus for Egyptian theologians . . . Three gods were united and regarded as a single entity, addressed in the singular. This demonstrates a direct connection between the spiritual essence of Egyptian religion and Christian theology.”(Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

In Alexandria, Egypt, during the late third and early fourth centuries, church leaders like Athanasius incorporated these influences as they developed concepts that ultimately shaped the doctrine of the Trinity. Their influence extended widely, leading Siegfried Morenz to describe “Alexandrian theology as the bridge between Egypt’s religious heritage and Christianity.”(Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

The preface to Edward Gibbon’s History of Christianity states: “While Paganism was overcome by Christianity, it is equally true that Christianity was altered by Paganism. The simple Deism of the early Christians . . . was transformed by the Church of Rome into the incomprehensible doctrine of the Trinity. Numerous pagan concepts, originating with the Egyptians and refined by Plato, were preserved as credible beliefs.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge observes that many regard the Trinity as “a corruption adopted from heathen religions and incorporated into the Christian faith.” Similarly, The Paganism in Our Christianity asserts: “The origin of the [Trinity] is purely pagan.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

This is why James Hastings wrote in the Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics: “In Indian religion, for instance, we encounter the trinitarian group of Brahmā, Siva, and Viṣṇu; and in Egyptian religion, the trinitarian group of Osiris, Isis, and Horus . . . Moreover, the concept of God as a Trinity is not limited to historical religions. The Neo-Platonic view of the Supreme or Ultimate Reality,” he notes, “is also expressed in triadic terms.” But what connection does the Greek philosopher Plato have to the Trinity? (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

The Triad of the Supreme Gods

Centuries before the time of Christ, triads, or trinities, of gods existed in ancient Babylonia and Assyria. The French Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology highlights one such triad in the Mesopotamian region: “The universe was divided into three realms, each governed by a god. Anu ruled the sky, Enlil governed the earth, and Ea became the ruler of the waters. Together, they formed the triad of the Great Gods.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

Hindu Trinity

The book The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals describes a Hindu trinity that predates Christ, stating: “Siva is one of the gods of the Trinity, known as the god of destruction. The other two gods are Brahma, the god of creation, and Vishnu, the god of preservation. . . . To show that these three processes are interconnected, the three gods are unified in a single form.” — Published by A. Parthasarathy, Bombay. (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

Historical Development of Triads and Trinity Concepts Across Cultures and Centuries

The concept of triads and trinities has appeared across various cultures and centuries, with different civilizations developing their own interpretations of divine triads. The historical development of these concepts shows a fascinating evolution of the idea of divine unity and multiplicity, shaping both pagan and Christian theology (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024).

1. Egypt. Triad of Horus, Osiris, Isis, 2nd millennium B.C.E.

2. Babylon. Triad of Ishtar, Sin, Shamash, 2nd millennium B.C.E.

3. Palmyra. Triad of moon god, Lord of Heavens, sun god, c. 1st century C.E.

4. India. Triune Hindu godhead, c. 7th century C.E.

5. Kampuchea. Triune Buddhist godhead, c. 12th century C.E.

6. Norway. Trinity (Father, Son, holy spirit), c. 13th century C.E.

7. France. Trinity, c. 14th century C.E.

8. Italy. Trinity, c. 15th century C.E.

9. Germany. Trinity, c. 19th century C.E.

10. Germany. Trinity, 20th century C.E.

The Philosophy of Plato

Plato is believed to have lived from 428 to 347 BCE. Although he did not teach the Trinity in its current form, his philosophies laid the groundwork for its development. Subsequent philosophical movements that embraced triadic concepts were influenced by Plato’s ideas about God and nature (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024).

The French Nouveau Dictionnaire Universel (New Universal Dictionary) describes Plato’s influence as follows: “The Platonic trinity, which is essentially a reconfiguration of older trinities from earlier cultures, seems to be the rational, philosophical trinity of attributes that led to the concept of the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian churches. . . . This Greek philosopher’s view of the divine trinity can be traced in all the ancient [pagan] religions.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge highlights the impact of Greek philosophy, stating: “The doctrines of the Logos and the Trinity were shaped by the Greek Fathers, who were heavily influenced, either directly or indirectly, by Platonic philosophy. . . . It cannot be denied that errors and corruptions entered the Church through this influence.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

The Church of the First Three Centuries states: “The doctrine of the Trinity developed gradually and relatively late; . . . it originated from a source completely separate from the Jewish and Christian Scriptures; . . . it emerged and was incorporated into Christianity through the influence of the Platonizing Fathers.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

By the end of the third century CE, "Christianity" and the emerging Platonic philosophies had become inseparably intertwined. As Adolf Harnack notes in Outlines of the History of Dogma, church doctrine became "deeply rooted in the soil of Hellenism [pagan Greek thought]," which in turn made it a mystery to the vast majority of Christians (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024).

The church asserted that its new doctrines were grounded in the Bible. However, Harnack argues: “In reality, it legitimized within its ranks Hellenic speculation, along with the superstitious beliefs and practices of pagan mystery religions.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

In his book A Statement of Reasons, Andrews Norton writes about the Trinity: “We can trace the origins of this doctrine, not in the Christian revelation, but in Platonic philosophy . . . The Trinity is not a teaching of Christ and his Apostles, but a creation of the later Platonist school.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024)

By the fourth century CE, the apostasy predicted by Jesus and the apostles had fully emerged. The development of the Trinity was just one sign of this. Apostate churches also began adopting other pagan concepts, such as hellfire, the immortality of the soul, and idolatry. Spiritually, Christendom had entered the foretold dark ages, dominated by a rising "man of lawlessness" clergy class. — 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2024).

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7, “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7, New World Translation)

Many believe the Trinity was established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., where the council affirmed that Christ was of the same substance as God. But what role did Emperor Constantine play, and how did the opposition to Jesus as God influence the council’s decisions? Stay tuned for the next article, where we’ll uncover the events that led to the development of the Trinity doctrine.

Quiz: How Deep Is Your Understanding of the Trinity's History?

1. Which ancient culture is noted for its triads of gods that influenced later religious concepts?
   a. Egypt
   b. Babylonia
   c. Greece
   d. All of the above

2. What did historian Will Durant say about Christianity's relationship with paganism?
   a. Christianity completely rejected paganism.
   b. Paganism adopted Christian beliefs.
   c. Christianity adopted pagan concepts.
   d. Paganism and Christianity had no connection.

3. Which Egyptian triad is highlighted as an early example of a trinity?
   a. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
   b. Anu, Enlil, Ea
   c. Osiris, Isis, Horus
   d. Ishtar, Sin, Shamash

4. What role did Alexandrian theology play in the development of the Trinity?
   a. It opposed the integration of pagan beliefs.
   b. It served as a bridge between Egyptian religion and Christianity.
   c. It rejected Plato’s philosophical influence.
   d. It preserved the original Christian teachings.

5. What does A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge state about the Trinity?
   a. It is purely based on biblical teachings.
   b. It was influenced by Jewish traditions.
   c. It is a corruption adopted from heathen religions.
   d. It was created by the apostles.

6. According to The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals, what does the Hindu trinity represent?
   a. Three separate, unconnected gods
   b. Creation, destruction, and preservation as one interconnected process
   c. A rejection of the concept of a single supreme god
   d. The worship of nature spirits

7. What influence did Plato’s philosophy have on Christian theology?
   a. It had no impact on Christianity.
   b. It provided the foundation for the idea of divine triads.
   c. It replaced Christian teachings entirely.
   d. It directly established the Trinity doctrine.

8. Which source describes the development of the Trinity doctrine as “a creation of the later Platonist school”?
   a. History of Christianity
   b. Egyptian Religion
   c. A Statement of Reasons
   d. Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology

9. By the fourth century, what significant shift had occurred in Christendom?
   a. The rejection of all pagan influences
   b. The complete adoption of Jewish traditions
   c. The integration of Hellenistic philosophies and pagan practices
   d. The establishment of the New Testament canon

10. What does 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7 refer to as already at work in the apostolic era?
    a. The rise of the Trinity doctrine
    b. The influence of Hellenistic thought
    c. The mystery of lawlessness
    d. The dominance of paganism

Answer Key

1. d. All of the above

2. c. Christianity adopted pagan concepts.

3. c. Osiris, Isis, Horus

4. b. It served as a bridge between Egyptian religion and Christianity.

5. c. It is a corruption adopted from heathen religions.

6. b. Creation, destruction, and preservation as one interconnected process

7. b. It provided the foundation for the idea of divine triads.

8. c. A Statement of Reasons

9. c. The integration of Hellenistic philosophies and pagan practices

10. c. The mystery of lawlessness

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2024). How did the Trinity doctrine develop? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989303?q=trinity&p=par

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