Abstract
The Ontological Argument fo r the existence of God is briefly examined with particular reference to its basic premise, the assumption of the perfection of God. Despite some problems with the idea, it is believed that perfection is a valid concept. The thrust of the article is that if a perfect God exists, such perfection requires at least the basic concepts of the doctrine of the Trinity . The author therefore believes th a t the idea of the Trinity is derivable in a rudimentary form without reference to either revelation or to the vestigia (the supposed reflection of the Trinity in the creation), but simply from the idea of perfection. Some authors, both medieval and modern are cited in support of the argument.
Highlights
The O n to lo g ica l A rg ument fo r th e existe nce o f God is b r ie fly examined w ith p a rtic u la r reference to its basic prem ise, th e assum ption o f the p e rfe c tio n o f G od
D e sp ite some p ro b le m s w ith th e id e a, i t is b e lie ve d th a t p e rfe c tio n is a v a lid co n cept
T he th rustof th e a rtic le is th a t if a p e rfe c t God e x is ts, such p erfection req u ire s at least th e basic concepts o f th e d o c trin e o f th e T r in ity
Summary
In o u r m odern p ra g m a tic w o rld th e d o c trin e o f th e T r in it y is reg arde d as asupe rflu o u s piece of m um bo-jum bo, in c o m p re h e n s ib le and u n n ece ssa ry to th e modern w o rld (M oltm ann, 1981:1; W elch, 1953:3 f e tc ) It w ould be inconceivable th a t any serious heated argum ent about such " ir r e le v a n c ie s ” , as b ro keout in th e fo u r th c e n tu r y , co u ld s e rio u s ly ta k e place to d a y. What Iwant to discuss is th a t th e y do have a connection, so th a t th e idea o f th e p e rfe ctio n o f God w ill lead n a tu ra lly to th e essence of the doctrine of the T rin ity
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