came into modern
languages--the original meaning being obscured or disguised, and the
original issues forgotten. For some the first thought of God, the
infinite and ultimate reality lying beyond and behind all phenomena,
predominates. With these the historic manifestation of Jesus becomes
only a guide to lead us to that immediate apprehension of God which is
the end of theology, and to that immediate union with God which is the
end of religion. Such an end is accomplished either by means of pure
thought or by a oneness of pure feeling, giving as results the
theological or philosophical construction of the concept God, or a
mystical ecstasy which is itself at once immediate, inexplicable and
indescribable. On the other hand, minds of a different and more concrete
character so emphasize the distinctions God, Son and Holy Spirit, that a
tritheistic construction appears--three individuals in the one Godhead:
these individuals appearing, as for example in the Father and the Son,
even in opposition to each other. In general we may say then that the
Trinity takes on four differing aspects in the Christian church: in its
more common and easily apprehended form as three Gods, in its
ecclesiastical form as a mystery which is above reason to be accepted by
faith, in its philosophic form as the highest reason which solves the
ultimate problems of the universe, and finally, as a mode by which the
spirit through an emotional content enters into communion with God
himself.

To some Christians the doctrine of the Trinity appeared inconsistent
with the unity of God which is emphasized in the Scriptures. They
therefore denied it, and accepted Jesus Christ, not as incarnate God,
but as God's highest creature by whom all else was created, or as the
perfect man who taught the true doctrine of God. The first view in the
early Church long contended with the orthodox doctrine, but finally
disappeared, and the second doctrine in the modern Church was set forth
as easily intelligible, but has remained only as the faith of sects
relatively small in number.

The doctrine of the cross.

Allied with the doctrine of God which seeks the solution of the ultimate
problem of all philosophy, the doctrine of salvation has taken the most
prominent place in the Christian faith: so prominent, indeed, that to a
large portion of believers it has been the supreme doctrine, and the
doctrine of the deity of Jesus has been valued only because of its
necessi