Why does Trinitarian art sometimes show three faces for three persons?
This isn’t a Bible question so is slightly outside the normal remit of BibleQ. However, we can address the question then compare with the Bible.
1. The origin of the three faces idea.
In fact the idea of three faces is a literal application of the Greek language expression used in the 4th Century and after for what we in English more commonly know as ‘three persons’ in Trinitarianism.
There are other origins of the term but noteworthy is the development by Basil of Caesarea circa 360-365. In his polemic against the Sabellians Basil argued that “three faces” or three prosopa (τρία πρόσωπα – plural of prosopon) be used to distinguish the Trinity from Modalism. The idea of three substances, three hypostaseis (τρεις υποστάσεις – plural of hypostasis) could also be used.
In translation from Greek to Latin rather than use prosopon, face, the word persona was preferred, and therefore tres personae, three persons, became the normal term in Western European languages.
2. The biblical validity of this language.
This isn’t a Bible question so is slightly outside the normal remit of BibleQ. However, we can address the question then compare with the Bible.
1. The origin of the three faces idea.
In fact the idea of three faces is a literal application of the Greek language expression used in the 4th Century and after for what we in English more commonly know as ‘three persons’ in Trinitarianism.
There are other origins of the term but noteworthy is the development by Basil of Caesarea circa 360-365. In his polemic against the Sabellians Basil argued that “three faces” or three prosopa (τρία πρόσωπα – plural of prosopon) be used to distinguish the Trinity from Modalism. The idea of three substances, three hypostaseis (τρεις υποστάσεις – plural of hypostasis) could also be used.
In translation from Greek to Latin rather than use prosopon, face, the word persona was preferred, and therefore tres personae, three persons, became the normal term in Western European languages.
2. The biblical validity of this language.
Obviously Basil’s ideas were completely foreign to the Bible. God has a face, and Jesus has a face. Neither of these are ‘persons’ of any Trinity.
1/ Stephen M. Hildebrand · The Trinitarian Theology of Basil of Caesarea: A Synthesis of Greek Thought and Biblical Truth. 2007 Page 189
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