The Gospel of John and Early Trinitarian Thought: The Unity of God in John, Irenaeus and Tertullian

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the question of God's unity in the Gospel of John and two early Trinitarian thinkers, Irenaeus and Tertullian. It argues that in formulating the relationship of the Father, Son and Spirit, the Gospel of John makes explicit statements and evinces implicit judgments that preserve God's unity. This reading takes seriously John's first-century context, arguing that the continued conviction of God's oneness shapes the Christological formulations of the Gospel. Irenaeus and Tertullian similarly take pains to affirm the unity of God. In doing so, they made judgments about the relationship of Father and Son similar to those of the Gospel of John, while introducing new concepts or imagery to do so.