Accord Quote by Joseph Priestley
“We find upon all occasions, the early Christian writers speak of the Father as superior to the Son, and in general they give him the title of God , as distinguished from the Son; and sometimes they expressly call him, exclusively of the Son, the only true God ; a phraseology which does not at all accord with the idea of the perfect equality of all the persons in the Trinity. But it might well be expected, that the advances to the present doctrine of the Trinity should be gradual and slow. It was, indeed, some centuries before it was completely formed.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Disquisitions Relating to Matter and Spirit, 1774
Early Christian writers emphasized the Father's superiority, suggesting a gradual development toward Trinitarian equality.
In simple terms: Early writings favored the Father, showing Trinitarian doctrine evolved slowly.
Key Takeaway
Recognize doctrinal development over time.
Themes
theology
history
doctrine
development
Trinity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
theological
historical
When to use this quote
- Academic study
- religious education
- interfaith dialogue
- church history
- theological debate
Key Concepts
Ecclesiology
Christology
historical development
Questions to Reflect On
- How did early church politics influence Trinitarian language?
- What evidence shows gradual doctrinal change?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify complex early theological nuances.
![“[The doctrine of air] I was led into in consequence of inhabiting a house adjoining to a public brewery, where I at first amused myself with making experiments on the fixed air [carbon dioxide] which I found ready made in the process of fermentation . When I removed from that house I was under the…” quote by Joseph Priestley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/42a/joseph-priestley-17782_air_the-doctrine-of-air-i-was-led-into-in-co_74416.jpg)
![“But it is not given to every electrician to die in so glorious a manner as the justly envied Richmann. [G. W. Richmann died from being hit by lightning, which he had been investigating.]” quote by Joseph Priestley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/03c/joseph-priestley-17782_death_but-it-is-not-given-to-every-electrician_183667.jpg)
