From Tertullian to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed: An Adventist Perspective the Doctrine of the Trinity in the Early Church Theology

Abstract

This article examines Seventh-day Adventist perspectives on the early development of the Trinity. It reviews three major stages of Trinitarian thought in the third and fourth centuries—Tertullian, Origen, and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. The study contends that the doctrine was not a compromise but a genuine attempt to explain the mystery of God to the Greco-Roman world and defend it against errors like Ebionism, Sabellianism, and Arianism. Yet, these efforts were also shaped by philosophical influences and theological mistakes. Rather than defending one side, the article proposes a critical approach: identifying extra-biblical elements and assessing all formulations through Scripture. This method fosters a balanced Adventist historical view and a clearer understanding of the Trinity.